Class . 




l!o»k._JKl43 



I'KKSKNTKI) l(Y 



6-7 



ito 



NOTES 



ON THE 



MASSACHUSETTS ROYAL COMMISSIONS 
1681-1775 



BY 



ALBERT MATTHEWS 



NOTES 

ON THE 

MASSACHUSETTS ROYAL COMMISSIONS 



1681-1775 JJS^ 



BY 

ALBERT MATTHEWS 



REPRINTED FROM 

THE PUBLICATIONS 

OF 

€l)e Colonial «f>octetp of £r^a0sacbu0ett0 
Vol. XVII 



CAMBRIDGE 

JOHN WILSON AND SON 

23lnibcrsttg '^xzz% 

1913 






Gift 
Author 

OCT :^3 1913 



CONTENTS 

PAGE 

Prefatory 2 

Council for New England, 1685-1686: 

President 5 

Deputy-Presideut 6 

Territory and Dominion of New England, 1686-1689: 

Governor 7 

Lieutenant-Governor 9 

Secretary 10 

Period from April 18, 1689, to May 16, 1692 14 

Members of the Council, 1685-1691: 

Dudley's Council, 1685-1686 29 

Andros's Council, 1686-1688 32 

Andros's Council, 1688-1689 34 

First Council under the Province Charter, 1691 ... . 35 

Province of the Massachusetts Bay, 1691-1775: 

Governors 44 

Lieutenant-Governors 88 

Secretaries 97 

Lists : 

Chronological List of Commissions, 1681-1774 .... 106 

Alphabetical List of Commissions, 1681-1774 107 

List of Officials, 1685-1775 109 

Sovereigns of England, 1603-1776 110 



Index 113 



2 THE COLONIAL SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS []March, 

Mr. Albert Matthews made the following communi- 
cation: 

NOTES ON THE 
MASSACHUSETTS ROYAL COMMISSIONS 

1681-1775 1 

Volume II of the Society's Publications, soon to be issued, contains, 
besides the Province Charter (1691) and the Explanatory Charter 
(1725), the extant Commissions of the President of the Council for 
New England (1685); of the Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, and 
Secretary of the Territory and Dominion of New England (1686- 
1688); of the Governors, Lieutenant-Governors, and Secretaries of 
the Province of the Massachusetts Bay (1691-1774); and of the Col- 
lector, Surveyor, and Searcher of Customs in the Colonies of New 
England (1681). It also contains three Commissions not alluded to 
in these Notes — namely, Lord Willoughby's Commission (1667) as 
Vice-Admiral of Barbados, etc., and two Commissions (1727-1728) 
issued to Edmund Gibson, Bishop of London. The following six 
Commissions, mentioned in these Notes, are not printed in Volume II 
because no copies are known to be in existence: 

1678 July ^ Edward Randolph Collector, etc. 

1691 Dec.^ William Stoughton Lieutenant-Governor 

1691 Dec* Isaac Addington Secretary 

1711 ^ William Tailer Lieutenant-Governor 

1715 April 28 ^ William Tailer Lieutenant-Governor 

1716 ^ William Dummer Lieutenant-Governor 

In preparing Volume II for the press, it seemed desirable, indeed 
necessary, to compile a List of Officials, 1685-1775, giving the date 
of each Commission, the date of taking office, and the date of leaving 



* All dates in these Notes, except in some of the quoted passages, are New Style. 

2 This date is approximate: see p. 10 note 6, below. 

3 This date is approximate: see p. 88, below. 
^ This date is approximate: see p. 97, below. 

^ This Commission of Tailer was presumably issued in the sunmierof 1711, as 
he was sworn on October 4: see p. 90, below. 

^ The exact date of this Commission has been recovered: see p. 91, below. 

^ Dimmier's Commission was presumably issued in the surmner of 1716, as he 
was sworn on October 5: see pp. 65, 92, below. 



1913] MASSACHUSETTS COLONY CIL^RTER VACATED, 1684 3 

office. In the course of compiling the List/ a mass of data was col- 
lected that seemed of sufficient value — since it was largely obtained 
from manuscript sources, or from printed sources not easily acces- 
sible — to be put into convenient shape for consultation and reference. 
Hence these Notes. They are divided into the following six sections: 

I Council for New England, 1685-1686 

II Territory and Dominion of New England, 1686-1689 

III Period from April 18, 1689, to May 16, 1692 

rV Members of the Council, 1685-1691 

V Province of the Massachusetts Bay, 1691-1775 

VI Lists 

It T^-ill be remembered that on June 27, 1683, a quo warranto ^ was 
issued against the JNIassachusetts Colony Charter which had been 
granted by Charles I on March 4, 1629. Edward Randolph reached 
Boston on October 26, 1683,^ and on November 7 — 

AT the opening of this Court the Governo' ^ acquainted the Court, 
that since the last sitting of this Court Edward Randolph Esq, 
arrived, & had presented him w*'^ his maj*jes councils act, & his maj'jes 
declaration & proclamation, w*'^ the quo warranto issued out ag* the 
Gouno"^ & CompaAy, &c ^ 

The Colony Charter was vacated by a decree in the Court of 
Chancery and judgment entered against it in October, 1G84.® At a 
General Court held on January 28, 1G85, — 



^ The reason for undertaking these Notes was the fact that previous lists (such 
as those in Palfrey's History of New England, in \Miitmore's Massachusetts Civil 
List, and in the Massachusetts Court Manual) were found to be both incomplete 
and inacciu-ate. Innumerable discrepancies occur between these Notes and pre- 
vious lists, but, except occasionally, it has not been thought worth while to point 
out the differences. 

2 It is printed in Massachusetts Colony Records, v. 421-422. 

' On February 14, 1684, Randolph wrote to Sir Lionel Jenkins: "I arriued in 
Boston vpon y® 26 of Oct'^er late at night and found their Gen" Court that after- 
noon broake vp" (Toppan's Randolph, iii. 272). For the .sake of convenience, the 
seven volumes of "Ekiward Randolph" publi.shed by the Prince Society are re- 
ferred to in these Notes as "Toppan's Randolph," though the last two volumes were 
edited by the Rev. A. T. S. Goodrick. 

* Simon Bradstreet. 

' Ma.ssachusetta Colony Records, v. 421. 

• See Toppan's Randolph, i. 242 note 425, iv. 189. 



4 THE COLONIAL SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS [MARCH, 

AT the opening of this Court the Gouerno'' ^ declard it, y* on the 
certeine or general! rumor's in M"" Jenner, lately arrived, y* o'' 
charter was condemned, & judgment entred vp, &c, they lookt at it as 
an incumbent duty to acquaint the Court w**^ it, & leaue the considera- 
tion of what was or might be necessary to them, &c.2 

On May 12, 1686, "At a Generall Court for Elections," — 

O YMON BRADSTREET, Esq, was chosen Gouno' for y« yeare en- 
'^ suing, & tooke his oath y® same day. 

Thomas Danforth, Esq, was also chosen Dep* Goii, & tooke his oath 
at y® Goxino'' house y^ same day. . . . 

Edward Rawson was chosen Secret, & tooke his oath 13 May.^ 

On INIay 14 Randolph reached Boston,* bringing with him an 
Exemplification of the Judgment against the Charter ^ and Dudley's 
Commission (dated October 8, 1685) ^ as President of the Council 
for New England. On May 17 Dudley made a speech '' to the Court 

^ Simon Bradstreet. James II was proclaimed in Boston on April 20, 1685 
(Massachusetts Colony Records, v. 473-474), and in Plymouth on April 24 (Plym- 
outh Colony Records, vi. 160). 

2 Massachusetts Colony Records, v. 465. A copy of the judgment reached 
Boston July 1, 1685 (Sewall's Diary, i. 85), and was placed in Secretary Rawson's 
hands on July 2 (Toppan's Randolph, i. 243 note 428, 256; 4 Massachusetts His- 
torical Collections, v. 142). 

3 Massachusetts Colony Records, v. 513. 
^ See p. 11 note 3, below. 

5 This Exemphfication is printed in 4 Massachusetts Historical Collections, 
ii. 246-278. 

^ A copy of Dudley's Commission had reached Boston more than two months 
before Randolph's arrival. On March 3, 1686, Sewall wrote: "Mr. Stoughton calls 
at night and shews me the Names of the Persons in the Commission, telling me that 
a Copy of the Commission is come to Town. Comes by Eldridge, who bore away 
to Montserrat" (Diary, i. 123-124). On March 8 Wait Winthrop wrote to Fitz 
John Winthrop: "Here is little new since my last to you, only Jo. Eldrige, who 
came out in company with GeSer from England and was blowne off to the Leward 
Islands, is arived. By Viim came a coppye of the coiiiissio for the Government of 
this Collony, the Prouince of Maine, New Hampsheir, and lungs Prouince or Nar- 
rogansett country, which was taken out of the Chancery and sent to M'' Dudley by 
a freind. The originall was on bord the Rose frigatt with M'' Randolph, and not 
yet ariued, but expected every day. The comission is to M"" Dudley, as President 
till the cheife Govern"" come over, and to the rest named as of Coimsell, whereof 
you are one" (5 IMassachusetts Historical Collections, vih. 459-460). 

^ Dudley also made a speech when the Council met on May 25. His two speeches 
were printed in a broadside and were reprinted in 1 Proceedings Massachusetts 
Historical Society, vii. 4S7-4S9, 489-490. The speech of May 25 is in the Council 
Records (ii. 2-4) and is printed in the Dudley Records, pp. 226-227. 



1913] JOSEPH DUDLEY INAUGURATED PRESIDENT, 1686 5 

and left with it "a true coppy of his maj*^®^ commission," ^ and on 
May 20 the Court sent its reply to " Joseph Dudley, EscJ, & the rest 
of the gent"* named in his maj'^''^ comission." ^ On May 21 the Court 
met for the last time, the final entry in the record being, "This day 
the whole Court mctt at the Conor's house, & there the Court was 
adjourned to the seccond Wednesday in October next, at eight of the 
clocke in y^ morning." ^ 



COUNCIL FOR NEW ENGLAND, 1685-1686 

President 

Joseph Dudley was commissioned President by James II on 
October 8, 1685. The government created by this Commission in- 
cluded the Massachusetts Bay, ISIaine, New Hampshire, and the 
Narragansett Country or King's Province. On May 25, 1G86: 

The President and Councill being assembled, the Exemplification of 
the Judgment against the Charter of the late Governour and Company 
of the Massachusetts Bay in New England publickly (in open Court 
where were present divers of the eminent Ministers, Gentlemen, and 
Inhabitants of the Town and Country) was Read, with an audible voice. 

Then His ^Majesties Commission of Government directed to the Presi- 
dent and Councill was likewise read in open Coiu-t. 

The President then proceeded and took the Oath of Allegiance and 
also the Oath conteined in that Commission, which were administered 
to all the Members of the Councill then present.^ 

^ Massachusetts Colony Records, v. 515. 

2 V. 516. 

' V. 517. The date there given for the final meeting is May 20, but our late 
associate Mr. Toppan pointed out that the true date was May 21 (Pubhcations 
of this Society, vi. 81-82). 

, * Council Records, ii. 1. (In these Notes the marginal entries found in the Coun- 
cil Records, Court Records, House Journals, etc., are sometimes omitted.) Cf. 
Dudley Records, p. 226. The records here cited as "Dudley Records" are those 
printed in November, 1899, by Robert N. Toppan in 2 Proceetlings Massachusetts 
Historical Society, xiii. 22G-286. They were copied by Mr. Toppan from the Coun- 
cil Records and from the Massachusetts Archives at the State House, Boston. 

The following notice appeared in the London Gazette of July 29, 1686: 

Whitehall, July 25. The Letters from New-England give an Account, That on 
the 14th of the last Month [an error for May] arriA'cd at Boston Mr. Randolph, 
Secretary of that Colony, in His Majesties Frigat The Rose, with an Exemplifi- 
cation of the Judgment given upon a Scire Facias in the High Court of Chancery 



6 THE COLONIAL SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS [March, 

On June 11: 

Then the President took the following Oath in Councill to observe 
the Acts of Trade & Navigation: 

You shall swear that you will to the best of your skill and power so 
long as you shall continue in the Government or Command of this ter- 
ritory & Plantation well and truly execute and perform, and cause to be 
executed and performed all matters and things which by the Statute 
made in the twelvth year of his late Maj*^'' Reigne intituled an Act for 
the incourageing and increasing of shipping and Navigation, & by the 
other Statute made in the fifteenth year of liis s*^ Ma*^^ reigne, Intituled: 
an Act for the encouragem* of Trade; you are required as President or 
Commander of this Territory and Dominion to be sworn to the perform- 
ance of. So help you God.^ 

Dudley was President from May 25 to December 20, 1686. 

Deputy-President 
WiLLL\M Stoughton was appointed Deputy-President by Presi- 
dent Dudley on May 26, 1686: 

The President in full Councill declared William Stoughton Esq"" to 
be Deputy President, which he accordingly accepted, to the great satis- 
faction of the whole Councill.^ 



here against their Charter, and with His Majesties Commission to Joseph Dudley 
Esq; as President, and divers other Gentlemen of those Parts to be of His Majesties 
Council for the Government of that Territory, until the Arrival of Sir Edmund 
Andross Governor in chief of New-England. Whereupon His Majesties Commission 
had been pubUshed by Proclamation with great Solemnity and Demonstrations of 
Joy, and the President and Coimcil had akeady appointed Justices of the Peace 
and other Officers throughout the Government, and setled the Militia in His Ma- 
jesties Name, all things being performed according to His Majesties Directions. 
There has also been presented to His Majesty by the hands of Robert Mason Esq; 
One of His Majesties Council there, a very Loyal Address from New-England, 
expressing their due Sense and Acloiowledgments of His Majesties Grace and Favour 
in receiving them under His immediate Protection and Government (p. 2/2). 

1 CouncU Records, ii. 36. Cf. Dudley Records, pp. 247-248. 

2 CoimcU Records, ii. 9. Cf. Dudley Records, p. 231. Writing in 1765 Hutchin- 
son said: 

Mr. Dudley's commission made him president of the council for Massachusetts 
Bay, New-Hampshire and Main, and the Naraganset country, or King's province, 
Stoughton was named deputy president, Simon Bradstreet, . . . and Edward Tyng 
were named of the council, not by separate warrants, or by mandamus, but all in 
one commission (History of Massachusetts, London, 1765, i. 351 note). 

And Palfrey, writing in 1864, said that "Dudley was appointed President, and 
Stoughton Deputy-President;" though he added in a footnote, "I have not been 



1913] SIR EDMUND ANDROS INAUGURATED GOVERNOR, 16S6 7 

Stoiighton was Deputy-President from May 26 to December 20, 
1G8G. 

II 
TERRITORY AND DOMINION OF NEW ENGLAND, 1686-1689 

Governor 

Sir Edmund Andros was commissioned Governor by James II on 
June 3, 1G86. The government created by this Commission in- 
ckided tlie ^Massachusetts Bay, INIaine, New PljTnouth, New Hamp- 
shire, and the Narragansett Country or King's Province. Reaching 
Nantasket December 19, 1686,^ Andros came to Boston December 20 
and was sworn that day: 

His Ex''® ^ S' Edmond Andros Kn* Governour being landed, repaired 
forthwith to the Towne house attended hither by a great number of 
Merchants and others with all the Militia and Foot. 

able to find the commission," except in part (History of New England, iii. 485 and 
note.). As a matter of fact, however, no Deputy-President was named in Dudley's 
Commission, wliich provided "that the said Joseph Dudley and every succee<ling 
President of the said Counccll shall & may nominate & appoint any one of the mem- 
bers of the said CounceU for the time being to be his Deputy and to preside in his 
absence" (PubUcations of this Society, ii. 38). 

^ Sewall wrote on December 19 that "Tho. Baker told me Sir Edmund was 
below;" and on December 20: "Governour Andros came up in the Pinace, touches 
at the Castle, Lands at Gov"" Leveret's wharf about 2 P. M. where the President, <kc. 
meet him and so march up through the Guards of the 8 Compan3'es to the Town 
House, where part of the Coiiiission read" (Diary, i. 159-161). On December 20 
Wait Winthrop wrote: "Yesterday morning, being Sabboth-day, S"" Edmond Andros 
arived at Nantasket. We ware some of us do\\Tie in the aftemoone to know liis 
comands, and 'ire prepareing to receive his Excellency in as sutable maner as may 
be. . . . He in*^-3nds to be here about noone this day" (5 Massachusetts Historical 
Collections, viii. t71). 

The following notices appeared in the London Gazette of October 25, 1686, and 
February 14, 16S7: 

Denle, Odob. 20. Yesterday sailed out of the Dmones the Kings-Fisher, ha-\-ing 
on Board Sir Edmund Andros His Majesties Governor of New-England (October 25, 
1686, p. 2). 

Boston in New-Enghnd, Decemb. 27. The 20th Instant arrived here Sir Edmund 
Andros His Majesties Governor in chief of Neto-Enghind, having been received ^-ith 
all Expressions of Joy and Respect. The Governor, and the Members of the Coun- 
cil being sworn, an Order was published to continue all Officers Civil and Military; 
And a general Council is appointed to be held here the 30th of this Month, of which 
Notice ha-s been given to the Neighbouring Colonies (p. 2/1). 

2 It is perhaps worth noting that this is apparently the first appearance in Mas- 
sachusetts of the time-honored title "His Excellence" — or, as the form soon be- 
came, "His Excellency." 



8 THE COLONIAL SOCIETY QF MASSACHUSETTS [March, 

His Ex'^^ in a short Speech acquainted the Councill that his Maj"*' by 
his Letters Patents dated the third day of June in the second year of his 
Maj*^'' Reigne, appointed him to be Capitaine General!, Governour in 
Chief &c of New England which were then pubhshed in a full assembly. 

The Members of the Councill then present administred to his Ex"® 
the oath of AUegience with the path enjoyned to be taken, by his Maj*'^^ 
said Commission.^ 

On December 30, 1686, "His Ex''^ took the oath for the observe- 
ing the Acts of Trade and Navigation." - On February 4, 1687, — 

His Ex*'® then took the Oath for executing and performing all matters 
and things w''^ by the Statute made in the 12*^^ year of his Late Ma*^^ 
Reigne Intituled an Act for the Encourageing and Increaseinge of Ship- 
ping and Navigacon and also by the Act made in the 15*^^ year of his 
Said Ma*^^ reigne Intituled an Act for the Encouragem* of trade required 
to be taken by all Governors and Coinanders in Chief of his Ma*^^ 
fforeign Plantacons.^ 

Andros was again commissioned Governor by James II on April 7, 
1688. In this Commission the government included the Massachu- 
setts Bay, Maine, New Plymouth, New Hampshire, the Narragan- 
sett Country or King's Province, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New 
York, arid East and West Jersey. As already stated,^ no regular 



1 Council Records, ii. 105. The Andros Records read: 

His Ma*^^ Commission for Government directed to his Excell: S"" Edmond 
Andros Knight was published and the Oath of Allegiance was administered to his 
j^x^e Yyy Joseph Dudley and the members then present together with the Oath 
for the due execution of Justice by his Ma'^^ said Commission enjoyned to be taken 
(p. 240). 

The records here cited as "Andros Records" are those printed in October, 1899, 
by Robert N. Toppan in Proceedings American Antiquarian Society, New Series, 
xiii. 239-268. They were copied by Mr. Toppan from the original minutes in the 
possession of the American Antiquarian Society. The Andros Records extend from 
December 20, 1686, to April 25, 1687, both included. The records under Andros's 
government at the State House (Council Records, ii. 105-161) extend from De- 
cember 20, 1686, to December 29, 1687, both included; but several meetings re- 
corded in the Andros Records are not in the Council Records; and the records of a 
few meetings — both before April 25, 1687, and after December 29, 1687 — are 
found only in the Massachusetts Archives. 

2 Council Records, ii. 107. Cf. Andros Records, p. 242. 

' Andros Records, p. 249. There is no record of this meeting in the Council 
Records. 

* See note 1, above. 



1913] FRANCIS NICHOLSON MADE LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR, 1688 9 

records of Council meetings after December 29, 1G87, were kept, or 
at least are not kno\Aii to be extant. But that Andros's second 
Commission was published on July 19, 1GS8, is made certain by 
what Sewall wrote on that day and on July 24: 

Eight Companies in Arms, and Sir Edmund's Cofnission is published, 
extending his Authority from the remotest eastern parts so as to take 
in East and West Jersey.^ 

There was a Gallery erected last Thorsday, at the east end of the Town 
House, from whence His Excellency's new Comission was published, 8 
Companys being in Arms.^ 

Andros was Governor from December 20, 1G86, to his overthrow 
on April 18, 1G89. 

Lieutenant-Governor 

Francis Nicholson was commissioned Lieutenant-Governor by 
James II on April 20, 1G88. No record of his taking office is extant, 
but presumably he was sworn on the day when Andros's second Com- 
mission was published — namely, July 19, 1C88.^ 

When Andros left Boston for New York late in July, 1G88, Nichol- 
son accompanied him as far as New London, when he was sent back 
to Boston by Andros.'* Later in the year Nicholson went to New 
York,^ where he was when the overthrow of Andros occurred in 

' July 19, 1GS8 (Diary, i. 220). Andros's proclamation to continue civil and 
military officers, dated July 19, 1688, is in Massachusetts Archives, cxix. 72. 

2 July 24, 1688 (4 Massachusetts Historical Collections, viii. 518). 

3 See note 1, above. Though not named a Councillor in the Instructions issued 
to Andros on September 12, 1686, yet Nicholson was appointed to the Council on 
April 25, 1687, and he had sat in the Council since August 24, 1687: see p. 33, 
below. On July 5, 1688, Sewall wrote: "This day Foy arrives, brings a Comission 
for Capt. Nicholson to be Lieut. Govemour: New- York to be aHexed to this Gov- 
ernment. Mr. Randolph, a new Comission to be Secretary of the whole Dominion " 
(Diary i. 219). 

* On July 28, 1688, Randolph said that "I am now going to N:York where Cap* 
Nicholson also goes and is to Continue vpon the place" (Toppan's Randolph, vi. 
257). But in a letter dated "Boston August the 31'" 1688," Nicholson ^TOte: "His 
Ex*^^ began hLs journey from [error for "to"] New Yorke on the la.st of July and I 
went w^^ him to New-London (about one hundred and twenty miles from hence) 
butt . . . From New London his Ex*^^ sent me backe" (New York Colonial Docu- 
ments, iii. 550). On July 30, 1688, Sewall wrote: " With many others I went 
to Dedham to accompany his Excellency in his way to New- York and 
Jersy" (Diary, i. 221). 

* Nicholson was apparently still in Boston on August 27 (Toppan's Randolph, 



10 THE COLONIAL SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS [MARCH, 

Boston on April 18, 1689. Nicholson left New York June 11 and 
sailed on June 24, 1689.-^ 

Secretary 

Edward Randolph was recommended, on May 16, 1678, "to bee 
imployed as Collector of His Ma*'^^ Customes in New-England." ^ 
On May 31 the Lord High Treasurer^ urged the appointment, 
Charles II gave his approbation, and a Commission was directed 
"to bee issued forth vnto him [Randolph] accordingly." ^ Randolph 
was appointed June 12,^ and was commissioned on or before July 9.^ 
No copy of this Commission is extant. 

vi. 263), but was in New York by October 7 (vi. 270), from which place he wrote 
letters on October 21, November 15, and December 3, 1688 (iv. 246, 252, 255). 

^ On June 10, 1689, the Council of New York declared that "We have therefore 
thought it adviseable that the Lieut* Governor Capt" Francis Nicholson doe depart 
by the first ship for England to render an account of the present deplorable state 
of affairs here" (New York Colonial Documents, iii. 585). On June 11 Nicholas 
Bayard said that "This Day the L* Govern'' departed from this Citty in order for 
his transportation for England" (iii. 599). On July 9 Stephen van Cortlandt wTote: 
"Cap* Nicholson . . . departed very privately to the Nethersincks thinking to go 
for England in the Brigantine with Coll Dongan who was gone to sea, but being 
hard weather and Coll. Dongan sea sick Resolved to saile back againe chusing 
rather to dy on shoare then at sea, and came in again just at the time Capt. Nichol- 
son arrived at Cap* Browne's, and neither John Selike, M''Wadland, nor Heathcott 
being wUhng to carry Cap* Nicholson for England He Resolved to buy 14 pa-rt 
of said Brigantine which he unloaden and did send for 25 tunns of Log wood which 
he took on board and so sailed out the 24*^^ day of June " (iii. 595). 

2 Toppan's Randolph, iii. 4. 

^ Sir Thomas Osborne, first Earl of Danby. 

* Toppan's Randolph, iii. 4. The direction ia regard to the issuing of a Com- 
mission occurs as a "Mem'^"™ " to the main paper printed by Toppan. From a 
passage in Acts of the Privy Council, Colonial, i. 782, it appears that the King's 
approbation and direction were given May 31. 

^ On June 20, 1679, the Privy CoimcU approved a report of the Committee in 
which it was said of Randolph that "from the time of his Arrivall out of New Eng- 
land which was on the 10th of September 1676, untill the 12th of June 1678, when 
he was appointed Collector of your Majestie's Customes in those parts he has re- 
mained altogether mirewarded by your Majestic for his great paines and attend- 
ance" (Acts of the Privy CouncU, Colonial, i. 844). 

* That the Commission must have been issued on or before July 9, 1678, is 
proved by the "Instructions ... to Edward Randolph Esq"^ Collector Surveyor 
and Searcher of his Ma*'^^ Customs in New England." These, dated July 9, 1678, 
begin: "Whereas in pursuance of an Act of Parhament made in the 25 Year of his 
Ma*"'^ Reign . . . We haue Deputed you to be CoUecto"" Survey'' and Searcher of 
all the Rates Duties and Imposicons." These Instructions are in the Massachu- 
setts Archives, bd. 168-177, and also xx. 2-11; and are printed in Toppan's Ran- 



1913] EDWARD ILVNDOLPU INAUGURATED SECRETARY, 16S6 11 

Randolph was commissioned Collector, Surveyor, and Searcher of 
Customs in New England by Charles II on October 15, IGSl.^ 

llandolph was commissioned Secretary and Register of the Ter- 
ritory and Dominion of New England by James II on September 
21, IGSo.^ He was also named as a Councillor in Dudley's Commis- 
sion as President, dated October 8, 1GS5. Randolph reached Boston 
]\Iay 14, 1686,^ and, when the Council met on INIay 25, immediately 
took his seat as a Councillor. But it was not until July 1 that he 
was sworn: 

The Secretary Sworn and tooke the Oath following: 
Whereas you are by his ISIaj'^y^ Commission appointed Secretary and 
Register of this his Maj^^^ Territory and Dominion of New England, 
you shall swear that you will faitMully and Lawfully manage and per- 
form the same service as Secretary and Register, keeping true Records 
of all things proper for yom- Office, & fairly WTiting and fileing all such 
copies and papers as are committed to you, and you are to demean your 
selfe according to the charge and duty of your place, to the best of your 
skill and knowledge.^ 

On March 5, 1C87, — 



dolph, iii. 19-30. Palfrey says: "Randolph's instructions, as Collector, from the 
Commissioners of the Customs (George Downing and two others), dated July 9, 
1678, are in IVIass. Arch., LXI. 168-177. His commission, of the same date, is 
printed in Mass. Hist. Colls., XXVH. 129" (History of New England, iii. 318 note). 
Palfrey was in error as to the Commission, since what is printed in 3 Massachusetts 
Historical Collections, vii. 129-138, is not the Commission but the Instructions of 
July 9, 1678. 

1 This Commission is printed in PubUcations of this Society, ii. 333-337. At- 
tention may be called to a shght error in Toppan's Randolph, where a draft in 
Randolph's handwTiting is made to read: "\Miereas his Maj*'" by his Letf^ Pat- 
ents under y'' Great Seale of England bearing date at Westminster the 14 day of 
October in the 33 yeare of his Raigne hath erected an office of Collector Surveyor 
& Searcher of his Maj*'*^^ Customes" (iii. 120). In the draft itself, copied by Toi> 
pan from the Massachusetts Archives (Ixi. 2-19), the date clearly reads "the 15^^ 
day of October in ye 33 yeare of his Raigne," though " lo " might easily be mistaken 
for "14." 

* This Commission (which is printed in Publications of this Society, ii. 311-312) 
might have been considered in section I, but that Commission did not, as did Dud- 
ley's, terminate with the arri/al of Andros on December 20, 1686; and it seemed 
best to bring together in section II all the data relating to Randolph. 

* On May 14 Sewall wrote: "The Rose-Frigot arrives at Nantasket, Mr. Ran- 
dolph up at Town about 8 mane" (Diarj-, i. 137). 

* Council Records, ii. 45. Cf . Dudley Records, pp. 252-253. 



12 THE COLONIAL SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS [Maech, 

The Secry p''seiited a bill to be passed for a Gen Registry as in Ja- 
maica and read his Maj*'''^ Commission appointeing him Secry and Sole 
Reg"" of this his Maj*'''^ Territory and Dom. etc. 

It was p^'posed that the Clerks of the Severall County Courts should 
Register all Deeds Mortgages etc. and be accountable to the Secry but 
his Ex'=^ say'd that was makeing the Secry and Reg'' an inferior officer to 
y^ Clerks of a County Courts and was besides the end of his Maj*'®^ 
Grant to the Secry. 

It was Ordered and Assented to That the Secry is the Register of the 
Government, and do appoint his Depu*^^^ and to have fees according to 
his Commission.^ 

On May 3, 1687, Randolph leased his office to John West.^ On 
May 4 — 

M"^ Randolph Seer: acquainted the Councill, that hee had deputed 
John West in his Offices of Secretary & Register, which was approved & 
allowed of; and the oath of allegiance and that for the faithful Discharge 
of said offices was administred, to the said John West accordingly.^ 

On August 9, 1687, Randolph petitioned James II "to Grant him 
a Commission to bee Secretary and Sole Register of y'' Ma*'®^ Ter- 
ritory & Dominion of New England as now vnited and Setled." * 
The desired Commission was granted April 25, 1688.^ It has just 
been shown that Randolph made John West Deputy-Secretary on 
May 3 and that West took his oath on May 4, 1687. At Randolph's 
request. West was again sworn on July 20, 1688: 

Whereas yo" are by an Indenture made by Edward Randolph Esqr^ 
his Ma*'''^ Secry & Sole Register of his territory & Dominion of New Eng- 
land beareing date y^ 3^** day of May 1687 Authorized & Appointed to 

1 Andres Records, p. 260. There is no record of this meeting in the Council 
Records. 

2 The lease is printed in Toppan's Randolph, iv. 155-158. 

3 Council Records, ii. 117. * Toppan's Randolph, iv. 165-167. 

s The Commission is printed in Publications of this Society, ii. 313-314. On 
April 25, 1688, John Povey ■RTote to Randolph: 

This accompanies Yo"" Patent for y^ Sec''® office of of New England which bearing 
date after the annexing New York & the Jerseys with the other Colonies of New 
England Makes You Sec''^ of the whole Govemm* of New England in its p''sent 
Extent But M"" Spragg will have an Order for You to make him a Deputation of 
so much as he held before (Massachusetts Archives, cxxviii. 186; printed in Top- 
pan's Randolph, iv. 221, where "Spragg" and "Deputation" are wrongly printed 
"Spraug" and "dignitatem." Cf. Toppan's Randolph, iv. 217, vi. 269, 270.). 



1913] JOHN WEST SWORN DEPUTY-SECRETARY, 1CS8 13 

be Deputy Secry & Register Yo" doe Sweare that yo" ^^^ll faithfully & 
Carefully manage & p''forme y^ s^ oflfice as Deputy Secrv' & Register 
Keepeing the Records of all things proper to y^ s"^ office & fairly fileing 
& Coppving all such Records and papers as are Committed to yo" & 
in all things to demeane yo' selfe according to y* Charge & Duty of 
yo' place after yo' best skill & Knowledge & pursuant to y^ s'^ Indenture 
& deputacon giuen yo". 

John West tooke y^ aboue Oath in Counclll y"' 20**" July 1688 upon 
ye Desire of y^ sd Ed. Randolph. ^^ Randolph Secry.^ 

Randolph was Secretary from Julyl, IGSG, to the overthrow of 
Andros's government on April 18, 1G89.^ 

^ Massachusetts Archives, cxxix. 90; printed in Toppan's Randolph, iv. 231. 
2 Randolph had great difficulty in obtaining possession of the records pertain- 
ing to his office. In a letter to the Committee dated August 23, 1686, he said: 

His Ma*'^ hailing been Graciously pleased to grant me the Office of Secretary & 
Register of this Gom* I demanded the Records of the Generall Court & other Bookes 
of publick Concern, which ought to be lodged in my Office; and had an Order to 
that purpose; but some of y*' Council' & others looking vpon me as y'^ Onely enemy 
of their Country- haue encouraged the former Secry to keepe them in his Custody 
(Toppan's Randolph, iv. 116). 

In a letter to the Lord Treasurerr (the Earl of Rochester) of the same date 
(August 23, 1686), Randolph said: 

His Majestie hath been graciously pleased to make me Secretary of his Councill 
here, but y'' accounts of y*^ Late Treasurers & w*ever else relates to y^ discovery of 
his j\Iaj*'^^ Revennue is kept from my knovdedge: The publick Records & all y® 
Grants & Settlement of Lands in this Country ought to be lodged in my office 
are otherwise disposed of, not being willing to entrust them with me, who have 
been, & (as they say) am still y® Grand enemy of their Countrey (Massachusetts 
Archives, cxxvi. 66^7. Cf. Toppan's Randolph, iv. 121, 123-124). 

The order referred to in the first of these letters was given June 13, 1686. The 
record of the Council meeting held that day states that Joseph Dudley, WilHam 
Stoughton, Edward Randolph, and John Lusher were the only members present; 
and then continues (Council Records, ii. 39-40; cf. Dudley Records, p. 250): 

WTio not makeing a full Councill (no business was done that day) only a letter 
writt by the Presid* to Edward Rawson Esq'"'^ late Seer: of the Massachusetts 
Colony and accordingly sent (a Copie whereof follows) 

WTiereas it hath pleased his Maj*^ in the settlem* of the Government of this His 
Maj*^* Territory & Dominion to appoint and CommLssionate Edward Randolph 
Esq"^ to be the Secretary and Register of this his Maj*^^ said Govemm* and 
Dominion. 

These are therefore in his Maj*^ ^ name to order & require you to deliver into 
the said M"" Randolphs hands, the Books, Records, Files and other utensells be- 
longing to the said Office of Secretary late exercised by yourselfe, that they may be 



14 THE COLONIAL SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS [Maiich, 

III 

PERIOD FROM APRIL 18, 1689, TO IMAY 16, 1692 

Andros's government was overthrown April 18, 1689, on which 
day the following "Letter to Gov'' Andros requesting his surrendering 
the government and Fortifications" was sent : 

safely disposed and managed for his Maj*^ ^ service according to the directions that 
are or may be given unto the said Edw: Randolph, and hereof you may fail not. 

J. Dudley P. 

On September 24 it was "Ordered. That M^ Rawson deUver up the Keys of 
the Records to M"" Addington and M'' Benj° Bullivant" (Council Records, ii. 77; 
cf. Dudley Records, p. 271). On October 21 it was "Ordered: That M'' Addington 
& M'' Bulhvant attended JVP Rawson on Saturday next, to assort, take an account 
and receive the Records of the late Govemm* and deliver them to the Secretary" 
(Council Records, ii. 80; cf. Dudley Records, p. 273). On December 8 it was — 

Ordered: That Wait Winthrope Esq''*' Symon Lynd Esq""** Benjamin Bullivant, 
M'' Isaac Addington & M'' Daniell Allen, be a Committee with the Secretary, to 
receive and sort and form the Records of the Country, (now in the hands of M"" 
Edward Rawson late Secretary) that so they may be apt and ready for service, 
and that the persons above named be all sworn to the faithfuil discharge of their 
trust in this matter, and to the end it may be forthwith proceded in, M'' Lynd and 
M'' Bullivant are empowred and hereby ordered to take the same from M"" Rawson 
to morrow and to remove them in the posture they are now in, into the Library 
Chamber, and that there go forth a strict Warrant to M"" Rawson to deUver them 
accordingly; and it is further Ordered; that two locks be put upon the Office where 
such papers shall be lodged, and that i\P Bullivant, or such other person as M"^ 
Randolph shall depute to that service, shall keep the key of one of the Locks, and 
Cap"^ Winthrop M"" LjTid or M"" Addington the other (Council Records, ii. 94-95; 
cf. Dudley Records, p. 281). 

On February 4, 1687, — 

His Ex'''' Seeing the great necessities of haveing the Records of the Country re- 
moved from the dwelling house of M'' Rawson late Seciy 

It was Ordered that the persons Impowered by an order of the late President and 
CounciU of the 8*^ of December last doe effectually persue the same and that the 
Office in the Court House in Boston be forthwith enlarged and prepared to receive 
them accordingly (Andros Records, pp. 249-250. Cf.Toppan'sRandolph.vi. 181,210). 

In a draft in the Massachusetts Archives this reads: 

Whereas by an Order of the late President & CounciU dated the 8*'^ day of De- 
cember last It was ordered That Wait Winthrop, Simon Lynds Esq''^ Benjamin 
Bulliuent, m'' Isaac Addington, & m"" Daniel Allua be a Com*''" with the Secretary 
to receiue sort and form the Records of the Country (now in the hands of m'' Raw- 
son late Secretary,) that they may be ready for Seruice, Enjojoiing the s^ Com*"^ 
to be Sworn for the faithfuil discharge of their trust impowering, & ordering, m'' 
Lynd & m' Bulhuent to take the same from m'' Rawson the next day following, & 



1913] ANDROS'S GOVERNMENT OVERTHROWN, APRIL, 1689 



15 



gB At the Town House Boston IS*'' April 16S9 

Our Selves as well as many others the Inhabitants of this Town and 
Places adjacent being Surprised with the Peoples Sudden taking to 

to remove the same, (in the posture they find them) into the Liberary Chamber. 
In pursuance whereof it is hereby Ordered That the s'^ Com*^® do forthwith enter 
upon the effectual execusion thereof, bringing them to ye Office provided for them 
& j\F Rawson late Secry to be assisting in sorting & disposing them accordingly 
(cxxvi. 225). 

A year went by when, on February 3, 16S8, another order was issued (Massa- 
chusetts Archives, cxxviii. 36) : 

Att a Councill held at the Councill Chamber in Boston 

y^ 3*^ day of february 1687. 

Present 

His Excye S' Edmund Andros Kn* &c: 



Joseph Dudley 
W" Stoughton 
Rob' Mason 
Tho: Hinckley 
John Usher 
Barth: Gidney 



Esqrs 



John Hincks 
Nath: Clarke 
Edw'* Randolph 
ffranc: Nicholson 
Sam Shrtmpton 
W" Browne 



Esqrs 



Forasmuch as the severall Orders formerly made for taking an account of the 
pubUcg Records of the late Massachusetts Collony have not been attended that 
the same might be putt into the Secies Custody and all persons have recourse to 
them as Occasion Ordered that M'' Isaac Addington and AF Jolm Herbert Coward 
be and are hereby desired and authorized in the presence of M^ Edward Randolph 
Seciy and INF Edward Rawson the late Secry or some one on [altered from "in," 
or "in" altered from "on"] his behaKe to take an account in writeing of all the said 
Records and that they beginn the same on Tuesday next and continue day by day 
about the same till compleated and that then the said Records be delivered into 
the hands of the said Secry and the account thereof by them taken forthwith returned 
to this board under their hands g^ q^^^^ ^ ^.^^^^j ^^ 

John West D Secry 

What is perhaps the final allusion to this matter occurs in the following document 
(Massachusetts Archives, cxxvi. 238) under date of March 6, 1688: 

Att a Councill held att y® Councill Chamber in Boston 
on Tuesday ye 6**^ day of March 1687 

p'"sent 
His Excetty S' Edm'^ Andros Ivn* &c 
Joseph Dudley ] Jn° Lathrop 

W"' Stoughton Nath" Clarke 

Jn° Winthrop ■ Esq" Rich'* Arnold \ Esq"" 

Waite Winthrop Edw"* Randolph 

Jn° Usher J ffranc Nicholson 

Upon Reading this day in Councill ye Report made by Edw** Randolph Secry 
Edw** Rawson Isaack Addington & Jn° Herbert Coward togather with ye account 



16 



THE COLONIAL SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS [March, 



Arms; In the first motion whereof we were wholly Ignorant; are driven 
by the present Exigence and necessity to Acquaint your Excellency, 
That for the quieting, and Security of the People inhabiting this Coun- 
trey from the imminent dangers they many ways lye open and exposed 
unto; And for your own Safety, We judge it necessary, That you forth- 
with Surrender, and deliver up the Government, and Fortifications to 
be preserved to be disposed according to Order and direction from the 
Crown of England; which is Suddenly expected may arrive; promising 
all Security from Violence to your self; Or any other of your Gentlemen 
and Souldiers in person or Estate. Or else we are assured they will 
endeavour the taking of the Fortifications by Storm, if any Opposition 
be made 



To S"" Edmund Andros Kn*: 

William Stoughton 
Tho^ Danforth 



Wait Winthrop 
Sam^ Shrimpton 
W Browne 
Barth'^ Gednet 



S: Bradstreet 
John Richards 
Elisha Cook 
• Is'^ Addington 

John Foster 
Peter Sergent 
David Waterhouse 
Adam Winthrop 
Jn° Nelson 

Thursday April 18*'^ 1689 

Sent by M^ Nath' Oliver 

and M'^ John Eyre i 

On April 19 a "Letter to Ensign John Pipon to give up the Castle, 
now under his command," was sent.^ On April 20 a "Council for 



by them taken of ye publique Records of ye late Massachusetts Collony — pur- 
suant to an Ord'" of this Board beareing Date ye 3*^ of ffebruary past Ordered that 
ye s*^ Records be forthwith taken into ye Custody & Charge of ye Secry & Kept 
■nath ye other Records of this Dominion in the Secrys office where all psons may haue 
recourse to them as occasion & that ye Key heitherto Kept by m'' Rawson of ye 
place where ye s*^ Records are be forthwith dehvered to ye s'^ Secry 

By Ord'' in Council! 
^ Court Records, ^'i. 1. 

2 vi. 1-2. By error this letter is dated " 19*^ April 1690." The letter to Andros 
of April 18 was signed by fifteen persons, of whom three — Wilham Browne, Bar- 
tholomew Gedney, and John Nelson — did not sign the letter of April 19 to Pipon. 
The letter to Pipon of April 19 was signed by fourteen persons, of whom two — 
William Johnson and James RusseU — did not sign the letter to Andros of 
April 18. 



1913] COUN'CIL FOR SAFETY OF PEOPLE APPOINTED, APRIL 20, 1689 17 



Council of Safety 
appointed 



Safety of the People and Conservation of the Peace" was appointed, 
as follows: 

April 20*^^ 16S9 
A Council for Safety of the People and Conservation of 
Peace 

Pursuant to the Advice given unto S"" Edmund Andros 
Whereupon the Fortifications and Government were 
Surrendred, And also being constreined by the Mili- 
tary Forces now in Arms 

It is Agreed that the Gentlenjen that are present 
and Subscribed that Advice together with such other 
of the old Magistrates Or such other Gentlemen as 
they shall Judge meet to Associate to them, are en- 
trusted with the Safety of the People and Conservation 
of the Peace untill there be a farther and more Orderly 



Settlement. 
to Preside 

Simon Bradstreet 
William Stougiiton 
John Ricil^rds 
John Foster 
Peter Sergeant 
David Waterhouse 
Isa: Addington 
Adam Winthrop 
J Nelson ^ 



And Simon Bradstreet Esq3 is Chosen 



Tho° Danforth 
Elisilv Cooke 
as declared 



Wait Winthrop 
Sa^i Shrimpton 
W"" Browne 
Barth° Gedney 



On the same day (April 20) "IM"" Isaac Addington is nomi- 
nated and appointed Clerk of the Council, and to officiate as 
such." 2 

On 'Slay 1 the doings of the Council for Safety on April 20 were 
approved: 

appro^n^ the °do- We whosc Names are underwritten being in\'ited by 

o°^Safety ° °'^*' the Gentlemen above named to be added unto them of 

the Council Do consent to and approve of, what was 

done by the Said Gentlemen in their Ad\'ice given 



^ Court Records, vi. 2. 
2 vi. 3. 



18 



THE COLONIAL SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS [March, 



unto S'' Edmund Andros, And do Accept of the Said 
Invitation and will give our Assistance therein 

John Joyliffe Rich" Sprague 

Ed** Hutchinson 
Nath Oliver 
John Eyre 
Dudley Bradstreet 



Jer Dummer 
W*" Johnson 
John Hathorne 
Andrew Belcher 
John Smith 
Edmund Quincey 
Will"* Bond i 



Ja Russell 
John Phillips 
Penn Townsend 
Joseph Lynde 
James Parker Sen' 
Nath Saltonstall 
Rich" Dummer 
RoB^ Pike 
Daniel Peirce 
May 1^* 

On the same day (May 1) — 

There being some agitation in Council of the Necessity 
of Settling some forms of Government, and Several 
Gentlemen appearing, out of the Countrey moveing the 
Same thing, the farther debate there abouts is deferred 
until the Morrow; and Signification was dispatched to 
some other Gentlemen of the Council at Salem &c: to 
desire their Company ^ 

On May 2, "At the Council for Safety of the People and Conser- 
vation of the Peace:" 



Council invited to 
attend on public 
business 



Inhabitants of the 
several towns di- 
rected to send 
Deputies to advise 
on the present occa- 
sion. 



Agreed unto a paper representing the necessity of a 
farther consultation and Advice of the People for the 
directing to the exercise of that Power and Authority 
which is necessary in the present exigence. Signifying the 
expedience of the Several Towns of this Colony respec- 
tively to meet, and Choose one or more able, discreet 
persons (not exceeding two for one town) to convene at 
Boston upon Thursday the Ninth instant at two a 
Clock afternoon, (such as then can reach it^ the other 
Towns as soon as they can) fully impow'red then and 
there to consult, advise. Join and give their Assistance 
with the Council now Sitting 

Ordered to be directed to the Captain and Select Men 
of the Several Towns, printed and dispersed 
Boston to send four ^ 



1 Court Records, vi. 2-3. 



2 vi. 11. 



3 vi. 12. 



1913] DECLARATION OF THE REPRESENTATIVES, MAY 10, 1689 19 

At the same time a fast was appointed for ]\Iay 7. But on ]\Iay 3, — 

At the Council for Safety of the People and Conservation of 
the Peace . . . 
Upon farther Consideration, Ordered, that the Signification agreed 
upon Yesterday, to be sent out to the Several Towns for sending down 
their Representatives, Also the Recommendation referring to a Fast, 
be Stopt from any more of them going out 

Afterwards the Sending out of the Signification of Representatives 
was Reinforced, & Ordered, that they should go out ^ 

On May 8 "The President and Council met at the Council Cham- 
ber, where were present most of those who met Yesterday, and 
divers Others, waiting if any Thing might be presented by the 
people."- On May 9 "Representatives appeared from the Severall 
Towns and Villages hereafter Named." ^ On May 10 the Repre- 
sentatives drew up a declaration to the effect that the Governor, 
Deputy-Governor, and Assistants chosen in ^lay, IGSO, were to con- 
stitute the goverimient. To this the Council replied that the returns 
from the towns and villages had been inadequate, and that it was 
necessary for the people to signify their minds more fully and ex- 
pressly. ^Miereupon May 22 was appointed the day for the meeting 
of the Representatives, and the Representatives declared that the 
present Council was continued until that date. The proceedings on 
May 10 were as follows: 

Boston May m^^ 16S9 

At the Council for Safety of the People, and Conservation of the Peace 
Sixty Slx persons as Representatives of Forty four Towtis and Villages 
in the ]\Iassachusets Colony before Named were also present, and pre- 
sented the following petition 

Boston May 10*'^ 1689 

J/"the ^rTipresin" We the Representatives of the Severall To^tis of 
GovV''aM'"'Al^fst- the Massachusets Colony in New England 
?68o'feThi°G!r/- Do hereby declare in behalf of our Selves, and the 
emment Several Towns, which we appear for. Viz* That for the 

HrJ.rof'Reprisen.^ eusuing part of this Year, The Governour deputy Gov- 
*"^''^ ernour and Assistants chosen and Sworn in jMay one 

» Court Records, vi. 12. ' vi. 15. ' vi. 15. 



20 THE COLONIAL SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS [MARCH, 

• Thousand Six hundred Eighty Six according to our 
* Charter Rights, And the deputies then sent by the Free- 

men of the Several Town's to be the Government now 
Setled in our abovesaid Colony. And that Major Wait 
Winthrop is Major General of our Forces in New Eng- 
land until the Freemen renew their Choice And that if 
the present Government do desire more Assistants; hav- 
ing enlarged the Freemen, there shall be a Supply ime- 
diately made according to Charter for the Remaining 
part of the Year, upon the Day that the General Court 
shall appoint; Hoping that all people will rest Satisfied 
till we have Confirmation from the Crown of England 
which we daily hope for 

Voted at the Chamber of the Countrey Rep- 
resentatives, as attest, Clerk of s'^ Company 

Ebenezer Prout 

The Representatives applying themselves particularly 
to the President, and the former Magistrates; After a 
Considerable Debate they Retiuned them an Answer in 
Writing as followth Viz* 

Boston May 10*'> 1689 

dedaratioa* by the ^^ Answcr to a declaration drawn up and Signed by 
members present Ebcnezcr Prout as Clerk to the Company of Representa- 
tives of the Several Towns of the Massachusets Colony 
dated at Boston the day, and Year abovenamed. De- 
claring that the Governour, Deputy Governour, and 
Assistants chosen and Sworn in May One thousand 
Six Hundred Eighty Six according to Charter Rights 
and the deputies then sent by the Freemen of the 
Several Town, to be the Government now Setled in the 
Abovesaid Colony 

There Appearing onely Sixty Six persons, as the Rep- 
resentatives of Forty four Towns and Villages within 
the said Colony, And the Returns of some of the Said 
Towns and places being defective, and incertain in a 
full Representation of the Mind of the People there- 
abouts W^e think it Necessary that the People of the 
Said Several Towns, and Villages do more fully and ex- 
presly Signify their Minds in that Matter, And that the 



1913] COUNCIL FOR SAFETY CONTINUED, iLVT 10, 1689 21 

Other Towns, and Places, within the Said Colony (hav- 
ing no knowledge of the Said Declaration), be Notified 
to Convene their Respective Inhabitants to manifest 
their minds relating to the Same; And three of the Late 
Assistants resident in the Colony, being absent, that 
there be Oppertunity to Consult them; And the whole 
Number (if together) being but Thirteen, That the 
People by themselves or Ripresentatives, chuse such 
and so many as they shall think Convenient to Join, 
with them for the Common Safety and Conservation of 
the Peace, And the Exercise of Such farther Acts of 
Authority as shall be Necessary according to any Emer- 
gency until there can be a more Orderly Settlement of 
Government 
Signed 
John Richards Sam^ Appleton Sim: Bradstreet 

Elisha Cooke W" Johnson Tno^ Daxforth 

Is"" Addington John Smith John Hathorne 

Major Pyke vv'as present at the agreeing of this 
Answer, but gone Home before Signing 

Agi'eed that Thursday next the Sixteenth of May 
?on fnd^^yer' Instaut be Set apart for a Day of Fasting and Prayer 
io«^ May throughout this whole Colony 

And Wednesday the twenty Second of May Instant 
to be the Day for the Meeting of the Representatives 
of the Several Towns and Villages of the Colony, at 
Boston at two a Clock 
?ed'for*rhe'pr?sent The Representatives declared they Continued the* 
* present Council for Safety of the People, and Conserva- 

tion of the Peace in the same Station until Wednesday 
the Twenty Second of May Instant At which time they 
Have Agreed to Convene at Boston ^ 

On May 20 "The Humble Address of the President and Council 
for Safety of the People, and Conservation of the Peace" to the King 
and Queen was drawn up, "read and unanimously agreed to." - 
On ^lay 22 "The Representatives of the Several Town's ard Villages 
to the Number of fifty four Places, appeared with the Returns from 



1 Court Records, vi. 10-18. * vi. 22-24. 



22 THE COLONIAL SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS [March, 

their Several Towns and Villages." ^ On May 23 and 24 the following 
proceedings took place: 

23'^ May 

Upon perusal of the Returns from the Several Towns and Villages and 
Divers debates, and Conferences between the President, and Council, 
and the Representatives of the Tenth of May Instant, for the Settlement 
of Ci\dl Government, as well this Day as the Day foregoing Viz* the 22 '^ 
Instant and Several Proposals offered to them 

Upon the 24*^ of the Same May 1689. The following paper was pre- 
sented unto them Viz' 

Boston May 24*'^ 1689 

preJc'nf iSe?f ap- ^pou the Occasiou of the Revolution of the Late 
proved of Government under S^ Edmund Andros; And at the In- 

stance and Repeated desires or Demand of most of the 
Towns, and Villages, within the Massachusets Colony, 
manifested in their Respective Places, and Sent to us by 
their Representatives. We who are of the Persons 
chosen Sworn Governour, Deputy Governour, and 
Assistants (according to Charter) in the Year One thou- 
sand Six Hundi-ed Eighty Six. From the present Neces- 
sity, and for Satisfaction of the people do Consent and 
Accept the Care and Government of the People of this 
Colony, according to the Rules of the Charter; For the 
Conservation of the Peace and Safety of the People, 
and putting forth such farther Acts of Authority Civil, 
and Military as shall be necessary according to any 
Emergency until by Direction from England there be an 
Orderly Settlement of Government. 

Provided such Addition be made of Fit Persons to 
Assist us as hath been desired; And farther consent 
that the Respective Town's and their Representatives 
for our Assistance so farr as they may be Concerned 
therein; and as need shall require Expecting that all 
Encouragement be given by the due and Ready Obe- 
dience of the People, And that what hath been Acted by 
the Council for the Safety of the People, and Conserva- 
tion of the Peace respecting the Management of the 

^ Court Records, vi. 25. 



1913] ASSUMPTION OF CHARTER GOVERNMENT NOT INTENDED, 1689 23 

Pul)Hck Affairs be allowed, and the Present Stewards 

be Reimbursed in Convenient Time. 

Signed 24**^ Abovesaid 

John Richards Sim: Bradstreet 

Elisha Cooke Tho Danforth 

W" Johnson Na: Saltonstall 

John ILvthorne Ja° Russell 
Is'^ Addington Pe: Tilton 

Jn° Smith Sam Appleton 

Voted: This was accepted cheerfully by the Repre- 
sentatives as an Answer for Settling Civil Govern* with 
the Massaehusets Colony in New England as attest 

Eben" Prout 
Clerk to the Representatives 

Written on the other Side 
Upon the Publication here of it was declared by the 
Gentlemen Subscribing that they do not intend an As- 
sumption of Charter Government; nor Would be so 
Understood. Being Ordered to Read the Within wTitten 
Declaration; was also Ordered to publish what is Above 
WTitten, Which I accordingly did at the Same time 24*** 
May 1689 

Joseph Webb ^ 

On IMay 25 " Simon Bradstreet Esqs is desired, and Appointed to 
be President of this Council," and "ISl" Isaac Addington is Nom- 
inated, and appointed Clerk of the Council, and is Ordered to Offici- 
ate as such." - On the same day the following paper was presented: 

Boston the 25*'' May 1689 
Gentlemen 
Comicii for°S!ifIty We being greatly Sensible of the Necessity of Joyn- 
Conservation of the i^ig cvcry Good Maus Assistaucc to Your Present, and 
future Endeavours for the preservation of the peace, of 
this place, in this dangerous Conjuncture; And Relj'ing 
on the Integrity of Your Verbal, and printed promises 
by Inviolably preserving this people, and place in Obe- 
dience, unto the direction we expect from the Crown 
of England; And good Treatment to tlie persons of all, 
and Se\-erally the Gentlemen, as was by us Signifyed 



Court Records, vi. 26-27. « vi. 28. 



24 THE COLONIAL SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS [March, 

in Our Advice to S"" Edmund Andros, upon the delivery 
of the Fort. And to take off all Disatisfactions that may 
have Risen from any Disputes, or Arguments, We shall 
Endeavour to pacify the Disatisfied in our Regards, 
and promote the Publick Tranquility, as far as in us 
Lyes 
And'* Belcher Dav Waterhouse Pet^ Sergeant 

Jer Dumer Rich'' Sprague Wait Winthrop 

Penn Townsend John Foster Sam Shrimpton 

Nath Oliveb Ad^ Winthrop 

John Eyre Jn° Nelson ^ 

On May 29 William and Mary were proclaimed in Boston.^ 
On Jmie 5, "At the Council for Safety of the People and Conserva- 
tion of the Peace," "The Representatives also from the Several 
Towns, according to the Signification Sent. Met," ^ and "M'' 
Thomas Oakes, was Chosen Speaker." ^ On June 6, "At the Council, 
and Convention of the Representatives," "The Humble Address, 
and Petition of the Governour, and Council, and Convention of 
Representatives of the People of Your Majesties Colony of the Mas- 
sachusets in New England" was "drawn up Read and agreed to be 
Sent" to the King and Queen.^ 
On June 7 the following proceedings occurred: 

To the Honourable Simon Bradstreet Governour, 
Tho^ Danforth Deputy Govern'', and Assi^ants now 
Sitting 

The Declaration of the Representatives of the Several 
Towns in the Massachusets Colony 
Humbly Sheweth. 

That Whereas your Honours in the Answer to the 
Declaration given in, to You by the Representatives of 

1 Court Records, vi. 28. 

2 In an address to William and Mary dated May 20, signed by "Simon Brad- 
street in the Name and behalf of the Coimcil," it was declared that "We heartily 
congratulate Your Maj*"^^ happy accession to the Crown" (vi. 24); and in another 
address drawn up June 6, signed by "Simon Bradstreet in the Name, and behalf 
of the Council and Convention," it was stated: "Your Majesties happy Accession 
to the Roy all Throne was most Joj^uUy Congratulated by Your Subjects in this 
Colony, and the proclamation there of here performed upon the Nine, and Twen- 
ty'th Day of May last past, with all the Decency, and Solemnity, the Place is Ca- 
pable of Affording, and aU Imaginable expressions of Joy" (vi. 32-33). 

3 vi. 30. ^ vi. 31. 5 vi. 32-34. 



1913] CHARTER GOVERNMENT ASSUMED, JUNE 7, 16S9 25 

the Several Towns, the 24''^ May 1689 did Consent to 
Accept the Care, and Government of the People of this 
Colony, according to the Rules of this Charter, and put- 
ting forth such farther Acts of Authority Civil, and ISIil- 
itary, as were Necessary Untill by Direction from 
England there be an Orderly Setlement of Government, 
ReprestntrtivL ^'^^ And upou publication there of, were pleased to Declare 
tow^.*''^ ^""^'"^ you did not, intend Assumption of Charter Government; 
We do now humbly pray Considering the present Cir- 
cumstances of this Colony you would be pleased by 
Vertue of the Authority de^•ol^'ed on You, by us the 
Representatives of the Several Towns in this Colony 
to Accept Government according to our Charter Rules 
by the Names of Govern'' and Council for the Massa- 
chusets Colony, And exercise such Authority in the Said 
Colony, as was formally Used by the Laws made by our 
Charter Government (excepting such as may be Judged 
repugnant to the Laws of England) until farther Orders 
from England; And that the Major General, and five 
Assistants lately Chosen take their Respective Oaths, 
And pray there may be no Delay in this Matter We 
cannot proceed in any thing until this foundation be 
Setled. 
7 June 1689 Voted in the Affirmative 

attest Eb: Prout CI 
Accepted by the Govern' & Council 

P Order Thomas Danforth 

The following Oath was Adminstred unto the Govern' 
by Tho^ Danforth Escp Deputy Govern' before the 
whole Assembly 
form of the oath Whereas you S. B. are chosen to the Place of Gover- 

taken by the Gov' "^ 

& Lieut Gov' nouT over this Jurisdiction of the IMassachusets for the 

Remaining Part of this Year, and till a New be Chosen, 
and sworn Or until there be a Setlement of Government 
here from the Crown of England, do Swear Accordingly 
by the Great and Dreadful Name of the Ever li\ang God 
that you will be faithful, and bear true Alegiance to their 
Majesty's King William and Queen Mary, and that You 
\n\\ in all Things Concerning Your Place, according to 
Your best Power & Skill Carry, & Demean Yourself for 



26 THE COLONIAL SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS [March, 

the Said Time of Your Government, according to the 
Laws of God, and the Advancement of His Gospell, the 
Laws of this Land, and the Good of the People of this 
Juresdiction, You shall do Justice, to all Men without 
Partiahty, as much as in You Lyeth, You shall not exceed 
the Limitations of a Governour in your Place, So help 
you God 

The Like Oath Mutatis Mutandis by Simon Brad- 
street Esq3 Govern"" unto Tho^ Danforth Esqs Deputy 
Govern"^ ' 

On June 11 "M' Isaac Addington is Chosen Secretary;" ^ and on 
June 13 — 

M"" Isaac Addington took his Oath, as Secretary as followth Viz* 
Whereas You I: A: are Chosen Secretary for the Remaining part of 
this Year, Or Until there be a Setlement of Government here by Direc- 
tion from the Crown of England. You do Swear by the Ever living God; 
That You will in all Things faithfully Demean Yourself in the Said 
Office That You will truely, and faithfully According to Your Best Skill 
and Wisdom frame, all Acts, and Instruments of Public Concernment 
referring to Your Office, duely Observing such Directions, as Shall from 
Time, to time be given Unto You by the Government; here; and fairly 
Record, and Safely Keep the Same. That you will not disclose their 
Consultations, where you shall have express Charge of Secrecy, That 
You will Without Delay, Impart to the Governour or Council, Whatever, 
Letter, or Information shall Come to Your Hands referring to Your 
Office and of Publick Concernment; That You will not Wittingly or 
Willingly exceed the Limits of Your Place. — So help You God in Our 
Lord Jesus Christ ^ 

On June 22, "At the Convention of the Govern'" and Council and 
Representatives," — 

Declaration to en- j^ jg Declared that all the Law's made by the Gov- 

lorce y* Laws 

ernour and Company of Said Colony that were in force 
on the Twelfth Day of May One Thousand Six Hundred 
Eighty Six (Except any that are Repugnant to the Law's 
of England) are the Law's of this Colony, and Continue 
in force until farther Setlement; To which all Inhabit*' 
and Residents here are to Give due Obedience ^ 



Court Records, vi. 34-35. ^ yi. 37. « yj. 33-39. * vi. 47. 



1913] CONVENTION DECLARED A GENERAL COURT, JANUARY 24, 1690 27 

On November 9 the Convention "Adjourned to the Second 
Wednesday of Dec"" next at two a Clock afternoon;" ^ but a letter 
from King WilHam dated August 12 v^as read "At the Convention 
of the Govern'' and Council, and Representatives of the Massachusets 
Colony, in Boston, Tuesday the third of December 1689 convened 
by Order of the Govern ■■ and Council upon the Arrival of a Ship from 
London." ^ The letter is in part as follows: 

And Whereas You give us to Understand, that you have taken upon 
You the Present Care of the Government until you should receive Our 
Orders therein; We do hereby Authorise and Impower you to Continue 
in our Name your Care in the Administration thereof, and Preservation 
of the Peace, Until We shall have taken such Resolutions, and given such 
Direction, for the more Orderly Setlem* of the Said Governm* as shall 
most conduce to Our Service, and the Security and Satisfaction of our 
Subjects within that Our Colony, . . . the 12*^ day of August 1GS9 . . . 

By His Majesties Command 
Superscribed SHREWSBURY 

To such as for the time being 
take Care of Presenting the Peace 
and Administring the Laws in 
Our Colony of the Massa- 
chusetts Bay in New England * 

On December 16 it was declared, in reference to the King's letter 
of August 12, that "All their Maj*''^« Subjects as well OfBccrs Ci\il, 
and ]Military; & all Inhabitants and Strangers residing within this 
Colony are therefore hereby required to take notice there of, and to 
Yeild Obedience unto the Said Governm* accordingly as they will 
Answer the Contrary." * 

On January 24, 1690, it is "Agreed that this Convention be 
Henceforth termed a General Court, and be Accounted such in all 
Respects." ^ 

On May 28, 1690, — 

Election was made of Governour, Deputy Gov' Assistants, and other 
Publick Officers, as follow Viz* 

Simon Bradstreet Esq' Govern' — and Sworn. 

Thomas Danforth Esq' Deputy Gover' and Sworn. . . . 

Isaac Adington Secretary Sworn.® 

» vi. 88. * vi. 88. ' vi. 90. * vi. 97. » vi. 105. « vi. 133. 



28 THE COLONIAL SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS [Maech, 

On May 20, 1691, — 

Simon Bradstreet Esq' was Chosen Gov"" & Sworn 

Tho^ Danforth Esqr was Chosen dep^ Gov"" & Sworn . . . 

Isaac Addington was chosen Secretary Jur* ^ 

On May 4, 1692, — 

Simon Bradstreet Esq' was chosen Govern', and tooke the Oath of 
Allegiance, and the Oath of His Place, or Office, for this Year, Or until 
there be a Settlement of Government from the Crown of England. 

Thomas Danforth Esq"" was chosen Dep^^ Gov'' . . . 

Isaac Addington Esq' was chosen Secretary Jur: ^ 

The Court met for the last time on May 6, 1692, when it "Ad- 
journ'd unto Tuesday the 24th of ]May Curr* at one a Clock After- 
noon;"^ but before that day came. Sir William Phips had arrived 
with the Province Charter. 

The events from April 18, 1689, to May 6, 1692, are given in the 

following — 

Summary 

Andres's government overtlirown 

Council for Safety of the People and Conservation of the Peace 

appointed, with Simon Bradstreet as President and Isaac 

Addington as Clerk 
Doings of the Council for Safety on April 20 approved 
Representatives meet 
A fuller representation declared necessary- 
Representatives meet 
Government settled as of May, 1686, but no assumption of 

Charter government is intended 
Bradstreet appointed President and Addington Clerk 
Representatives meet 
Charter government assumed, Bradstreet and DaPiforth being 

sworn as Governor and Deputy-Governor 
Addington chosen Secretary 
Addington sworn as Secretary 
The government approved by William III 
The Convention declared a General Court 
Bradstreet, Danforth, and Addington reelected 
Bradstreet, Danforth, and Addington reelected 
Bradstreet, Danforth, and Addington reelected 
Last meeting of the Court * 

1 Court Records, vi. 183. 2 yi_ 214. 3 yj, 217. 

* As already stated (p. 7, above) the New Pljrmouth Colony was included in 
the Territory and Dominion of New England created by Andros's Commission of 



1689 


AprU 18 




April 20 




May 1 




May 9 




May 10 




May 22 




May 24 




May 25 




June 5 




June 7 




June 11 




June 13 


1689 


Aug. 12 


1690 


Jan. 24 




May 28 


1691 


May 20 


1692 


May 4 




May 6 



1913] MEMBERS OF DUDLEY'S COUNCIL, 1685-1686 29 

IV 

MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, 1G85-1691 
A 
Dotuet's Cottxcil, 1685-1686 . 

In Dudley's Commission (October S, 1C85) as President of the 
Council for New England, Dudley himself was nominated and ap- 



June 3, 16S6. A General Court was held at Plymouth in June, 16S6, and Courts of 
Assistants were held in June, July, and October, 1686 (Plymouth Colony Records, 
vi. 184-204, vii. 299-304). At the General Court held in June, 1686, Thomas 
Hincklej-, ^^'illiam Bradford, and Samuel Sprague were chosen respectively Gov- 
ernor, Deputy-Governor, and Secretary (vi. 185). No Court was held between 
October 5, 1686, and June, 1689, when Thomas Hinckley, William Bradford, and 
Samuel Sprague were chosen respectively Governor, Deputy-Governor, and Sec- 
retary (vi. 205); and the following proceedings took place: 

At their Ma^^ Generall Court of Election held at Plimouth, for the Colony of New 
Plimouth, on the first Tuesday in June, 16S9. 

WHEREAS, through the great changes divine Providence hath ordered out, 
both in England and in this countrey, we, the loyall subjects of the crown 
of England, are left in an tmsctled estate, destitute of goverment, and exposed to 
the ill consequents thereof; and having heretofore enjoyed a quiet settlement of 
goverment in this their ma*'^^ colony of New Plimouth for more than threescore 
and six years without any interruption; having also been by the late Kings of Eng- 
land from time to time, by their royall letters, graciously owned and acknowledged 
therein, whereby notwithstanding our late unjust interruption and suspention 
therefrom by the illeagall arbitrary power of S"" Edmond Andros, now ceased, the 
Generall Court held here in the name of their present ma*'*^^, WilUam and Mary, 
King and Queen of England, &c., together with the encouragement given by their 
said ma*"^^ gracious declarations, and in humble confidence of their s'^ ma*"^^ good 
liking, doe, therefore, hereby resume and declare their reassuming of their said 
former way of goverment, according to such wholsome constitutions, rules, and 
orders as were here in force in June, 1686, our title therto being warranted by pre- 
scription and otherwise as aforesaid, and expect a reddy submission thereunto by 
all their ma*'''^ good subjects of this colon)', untiU their ma*'*^^ or tliis Court shall 
otherwise order. 

And that all our Courts be hereafter held, and all warrants directed, and officers 
swomc, in the name of their ma*"^^, William and Mary, King and Queen of England, 
&c. (vi. 208-209). 

The la.st General Court appears to have been held on July 7, 1691 (vi. 268-269), 
though a Court of Assistants was held on April 5, 1692, the final record being: 

The Court . . . adjourn to Thursday y® 9**" day of June next, and all proces 
and bonds continued to s'' adjoumm*, & parties ordered to attend the same (vii. 
312). 



30 



THE COLONIAL SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS [Maech, 



pointed "to be the first President of the said Councell and to con- 
tinue in the said Office vntill we our Heires or Successors shall 
otherwise direct;" while the following seventeen persons were nomi- 
nated and appointed "to be of our Councell:" ^ 



Bradstreet, Dudley 
Bradstreet, Simon 
Bulkley, Peter 
Champemoon, Francis 
Gedney, Bartholomew 
Hinckes, John 



Mason, Robert 
Pjmchon, John 
Randolph, Edward 
Saltonstall, Nathaniel 
Stoughton, William 
Tyng, Edward 



Tyng, Jonathan 
Usher, John 
Wliarton, Richard 
Winthrop, Fitz John 
Winthrop, Wait 



The only provision in Dudley's Commission for the replacing of a 
Councillor was in case of death, as follows: 

And if any of the members of the said Councell shall happen to dy 
Our Will & pleasure is and Wee do hereby direct & appoint the President 
of our Councell for the time being to elect some other person to be a mem- 
ber of the said Councell for that time, and to send over the name of such 
person soe chosen, and the names of two more Wliom our said President 
shall judge fittly qualified for the said trust that We our heires & succes- 
sors may nominate & appoint which of the three shall be the member in 
the place of the member so dying ^ 

This provision proved unsatisfactory, since at the very beginning 
a difficulty arose because three members declined to serve, while a 
fourth member was incapacitated from serving. In a letter to 
Blathwayt dated May 29, Randolph said: 

This acquaints you that the 25 following the pres''* and 14 ^ of the 
Councill mett at Boston and taking the oathes were entred vpon the 



^ Publications of this Society, ii. 38. A list, sent by Randolph to the Committee 
on September 2, 1685, of "The Names of Persons well disposed & humbly offred 
to be of his Ma*'''^ Councill in the Colony of the Massachusetts Bay & the Provinces 
in New Eng*^ to consist of One President one Deputy-President & 18 to be of y® 
Councill," will be found in Toppan's Randolph, iv. 43-47. 

2 Pubhcations of tliis Society, ii. 43. 

3 According to the CouncU Records (ii. 1; cf. Dudley Records, p. 226), only the 
President and eleven members of the Council were present on May 25; yet in their 
letter to the Committee of June 1 the President and CouncU stated that "Joseph 
Dudley Esq''^ President haveing first taken the Oathes in his Maj*^^ Commission 
required, did administer the same Oathes unto fourteen of the Members of his 
Maj*^^^ CounciU then present and entred upon the exercise of the Government" 
(Council Records, ii. 23; cf. Dudley Records, pp. 239-240). The two members of 
the Council not recorded in the Council Records (ii. 1) as present on May 25 were 



1913] DIFFICULTIES IN FILLING VACANCIES IN COUNCIL, 1686 31 

Gom'' M' Champernoon : was so much indisposed that twas not possible 
for him to come to Boston: Butt old M'' Bradstreet and his son wholy 
refused to accept the Commission as a thing contriued to abridge them 
of their libertye and indeed against Magna Charta: and Mr Saltenstall 
also diserted vs: in whose places are very proper to bee inserted: Richard 
Smith of Narragansett : M' William Brown Junior: the third I leaue to 
INI'' Masons nomination who is coming ouer vpon the next ship which will 
in a short tyme sayle from hence. ^ 

On June 1 the President and Council drew up a letter to the Com- 
mittee which contained the following paragraph: 

Wee may not omitt humbly to represent to your Lordshipps, that there 
being no direction for a supply of Members into his Maj*^^ Councill 
except only in the case of death, whereas by the removall, constant sick- 
ness, or other avoidance of anj' of the Members, His Majestyes Councill 
may sometimes faile of a Quorum or more full appearance, needfull for 
his Maj*y^ service; it is therefore humbly offered, that in such cases 
wherein there appeares an impossibilitie or refusall of service, His 
Maj'y would graciously grant that a supply of Members may be ap- 
pointed as in case of Death.^ 

On June 19 the President and Council wrote to the Committee 
as follows: 

Wee cannot avoid to lay before your Lords^^ the inconvenience hap- 
ning by y® indispositions & refusall of Severall persons nominated in his 
Ma*'^^ most Gracious Commission: & the great distance of others from 
his Ma*'"^^ town of Boston the vsuall place of meeting. 

ffor avoiding therefore any obstruction in prosecuting his Ma**®^ 
seuerall commands in that Commission to us directed 

Its humbly proposed as very necessary for his Ma*'®^ Seruice, and wee 
do accordingly nominate eight persons, whose names are herevnto an- 
nexed to Supply those vacancyes. Submitting in all duty & obedience 
their choice & appointment to his Ma*'% and waite his Ma*'^^ gracious 



Jonathan Tyng and John Usher. There are curious discrepancies in the records. 
Thus twelve persons are recorded as present in Council on June 1 (Council Record.'^, 
ii. 19; Dudley Records, p. 237), yet the letter to the Committee dra\%'n up that day 
was signed by eleven members (Toppan's Randolph, iv. 82), while the address to 
the King also drawn up June 1 was signed by fourteen members (iv. 85). 

' Toppan's Randolph, vi. 171-172. 

* Council Records, ii. 23-24. Cf. Dudley Records, p. 240. 



32 THE COLONIAL SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS [Maech, 

answeare So Soon as it Shall please ^'^our Lords^^ to report the Same vnto 
his Mat'« 

They then said that "M' Bradstreet Major Saltenstall Dudley 
Bradstreet do not accept y^ Commission;" that "M' Champernoon 
weak & vnable to act in that Commission;" and gave these — 

Names of persons to Supply their vacancyes 

Samuell Shrimpton: Wilt Brown ju. 

James Russell Sam. Pewall 

SjTnon Linds tho: Graues 

Nicholas paige Ric*^^ Smith ^ 

As a matter of fact, no new members were added to Dudley's 
Council.^ 

B 

Andros's Council, 1686-1688 

In Andros's first Commission (June 3, 1686) as Governor of the 

Territory and Dominion of New England, no persons were named 

for the Council; but in the Instructions issued to him on September 

12, 1686, he was directed upon his arrival in Boston "forthwith to 

call together the members of Our Councill for that Our Territory and 

Dominion," and the following twenty-seven persons were named: ^ 

Albro, John Greene, John Smith, Daniel 

Arnold, Richard Hmckes, John Stoughton, Wilham 

Bradford, WiUiam Hincldey, Thomas Tyng, Edward 

Bulkley, Peter Lothrop, Barnabas Tyng, Jonathan 

Clarke, Nathaniel Mason, Robert Usher, Jolm 

Clarke, Walter Newbury, Walter Walley, John 

Coggeshall, John Pynchon, Jolm WTiarton, Richard 

Dudley, Joseph Randolph, Edward Winthj-op, Fitz John 

Gedney, Bartholomew Sanford, Jolin Winthrop, Wait 

Article 6 of the same Instructions reads as follows : 

And that Wee may alwayes be informed of the names of persons fit 
to supply the Vacancies of Our Councill you are to transmit unto Us by 

1 Toppan's Randolph, iv. 85-86. 

2 Randolph is at times strangely confused as to the Council. Thus in a letter 
to Archbishop Sancroft dated July 7, 1686, he said: "Of a president and eighteen 
members of the councell, there is onely myselfe, since Mr. Mason's departure for 
England, that is of the church of England" (Toppan's Randolph, iv. 89). Dudley's 
government consisted of a President and seventeen members of the Council. 

* From a transcript (Public Record Office, Colonial Office, Class 5, Vol. 904, 
pp. 283-296) in the possession of the Editor. 



1913] MEMBERS OF ANDROS's COUNCIL, 1686-1688 33 

One of Our principal Secretaries of State, and to the Lords of Our Privy 
Councill appointed a Committee for Trade and Forrein Plantations, with 
all convenient speed the names and characters of twelve persons In- 
habitants of Our said Territory, whom you shall esteem the best quali- 
fied for that Trust and so from time to time when any of them shall dye, 
depart out of Our said Territory or become otherwise unfit, you are to 
supply the first number of twelve Persons by nominating others to Us 
in their stead. ^ 

Accordingly, on March 25, 1687, the following "Names of persons 
best qualified to fill vacancies in Council" w^ere transmitted: ^ 

Brinley, Francis ' Lidgett, Charles Sanford, Peleg ' 

Browne, William, Jr. Luscombe, Humphrey ^ Sheafe, Sampson 

Curwin, Jonathan Lynde, Simon Shrimpton, Samuel 

Hutchinson, EUakim * Russell, James Smith, Richard 

Before the date of Andros's second Commission (April 7, 1088), at 
least seven persons had been nominated to the Council of whom four 
were among the twelve recommended above. On April 25, 1687, 
Andros was directed "forthwith upon receipt hereof" to cause "Cap- 
tain Francis Nicholson to be sworne of Our Councill of that Our 
Colony of New England." "^ On August 24 following, — 

Pursuant to his Majestyes Command Captaine Francis Nicholson 
was this day sworne of his Majestyes Councill in this his Territory and 
Dominion of New England and tooke his place accordingly.^ 



1 Ibid. 

- Calendar of State Papers, America and West Indies, 1685-1688, No. 1197 i, 
p. 351. 

' Printed "Francis Brenley" in the Calendar. 

* Printed "EUakim Hutchison" in the Calendar. 

^ Printed "Himaphrey Lusamb" in the Calendar. 

« Printed "Peter(?) Sandforth" in the Calendar. Miss Lucy Dnicker of Lon- 
don, who has examined the original at my request, informs me that the name is 
clearly "Peleg Sandforth," or Peleg Sanford, sometime Governor of Rhode Island. 
It is stated in the Rhode Island Historical Magazine that on "March 25, 1687, he 
was appointed one of Andros Council, but would not serve" (vii. 296-297). This 
is a mistake, the passage in the text showing that Peleg Sanford's name was merely 
transmitted as one of the persons " best qualified to fill vacancies in Council." 
Peleg Sanford was a brother of John Sanford, a member of Andros's Council 
in 16^8: Seep. 41 note 11, below. 

' From a transcript (PubUc Record Office, Colonial Office, Class 389, Vol. 9, 
p. 434) in the possession of the Editor. 

8 Council Records, ii. 134. Sewall writes: "Tuesday, Augt. 23. Balston arrives 



34 THE COLONIAL SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS [Maech, 

On June 18, 1687, Robert Treat and John Allyn were nominated 
to the Council; ^ and on June 27 Andros was directed to "Cause Our 
Trusty and welbeloved Robert Treat Esq"^^ the present Governor, 
and John Allen Esq'® the present Secretary of Conecticutt to be 
Sworn of Our Councill in New England." ^ On November 1 follow- 
ing the Council met at Hartford, when, after Connecticut had been 
"annexed to the Dominion of New England," — 

Pursuant to his Majestyes Commands Rob* Treat Esq' late Gov' of 
Connecticott and John Allen Esq' the late Seer*^ were sworne of his 
Maj*y^^ Councill.3 

On November 4, 1687, Samuel Shrimpton, William Browne, Jr., 
Simon Lynde, and Richard Smith were nominated to the Council; * 
and on November 10 Andros was directed to cause those four persons 
"to be sworn of Our Councill of that Our Colony of New England." ^ 
Lynde did not serve, as he died November 22.^ It is not known ex- 
actly when Browne, Shrimpton, and Smith were sworn, since, as 
already stated,'^ no regular Council records after December 29, 1687, 
are extant; but it must have been at least as early as February 3, 
1688, for on that day Browne and Shrimpton were present at a 
Council meeting.^ 

C 

Andros's Council, 1688-1689 

In Andros's second Commission (April 7, 1688) as Governor of the 
Territory and Dominion of New England, no persons were named for 
the Council; but in the Instructions issued to him on April 16, 1688, 



and brings Gazetts to June 13, and a Privy Seal whereby Capt. Nicholson is added 
to the Council, being sworn" (Diary, i. 186). 

^ Acts of the Privy Council, Colonial, ii. 811. 

2 From a transcript (Public Record Office, Colonial Office, Class 5, Vol. 904, 
pp. 353-354) in the possession of the Editor. 

^ Council Records, ii. 150. 

* Acts of the Privy Council, Colonial, ii. 817. 

^ From a transcript (PubUc Record Office, Colonial Office, Class 5, Vol. 904, 
p. 365) in the possession of the Editor. 

* See p. 40, below. 

' See p. 8 note 1, above. 
^ See p. 15 note, above. 



1913] 



MEMBERS OF COUNCIL, 16SS-1689, 1691 



35 



he was directed "with all convenient speed" to "call togeather" 
the following forty-two "Members of the Councill:" ^ 



Albro, John 
AlljTi, John 
Amokl, Richard 
Baxter, Jarvis 
Bayard, Nicholas 
Bradford, WilUam 
Brocklioles, Anthony 
Browne, Wilham, Jr. 
Bulkley, Peter 
Clarke, Nathaniel 
Clarke, Walter 
Coggeshall, Jolin 
Cortlandt, Stephen van 
Dudley, Joseph 



Gedney, Bartholomew 
Greene, John 
Hinckes, Jolin 
Hinckley, Thomas 
Lothrop, Barnabas 
Lynde, Simon 
Mason, Robert 
Newbury, Walter 
Nicholson, Francis 
Palmer, John 
PhiUpse, Frederick 
Pynchon, John 
Randolph, Edward 
Sanford, John 



Shrimpton, Samuel 
Smith, Daniel 
Smith, Richard 
Spragg, John 
Stoughton, William 
Treat, Robert 
Tyng, Edward 
Tyng, Jonathan 
Usher, John 
Walley, John 
\\Tiarton, Richard 
Winthrop, Fitz John 
Winthrop, Wait 
Youngs, John 



D 

First Council under the PRO\^NCE Charter, 1691 

In the Province Charter (October 7, 1691) the following twenty- 
eight persons were named for the Council: ^ 



Alcock, Job 
Appleton, Samuel 
Bradford, William 
Bradstreet, Simon 
Curwin, Jonathan 
Da\ds, Silvanus 
Donnell, Samuel 
Foster, John 
Gedney, Bartholomew 



Hawthorn, John 
Hayman, Samuel 
Hinckley, Thomas 
Hutcliinson, Elisha ' 
JoyUffe, John 
Lothrop, Barnabas 
Lynde, Joseph 
Mason, Stephen 
Middlecott, Richard 
Phillips, John 



Pike, Robert 
Richards, John 
Russell, James 
Saltonstall, Nathaniel 
Sergeant, Peter 
Sewall, Samuel 
Walley, John 
Winthrop, Adam 
Winthrop, Wait 



1 From a transcript (Public Record Office, Colonial Office, Class 5, Vol. 855, 
No. 9.5) in the possession of the Editor. 

2 Pubhcations of this Society, ii. 18. 

' On September 18, 1691, Sir Henry Ashurst and Increase Mather submitted 
"names of persons ... as Governor, Deputy-Governor and Assistants for Mas- 
sachusetts. Governor, Sir William Pliips. Deputy-Governor, William Stoughton. 
As.sistants," then follow the names of twenty-seven persons only, that of Elisha 
Hutchinson not being included (Calendar of State Papers, America and West 
Indies, 1689-1692, No. 1, 772, p. 545). In the same work appears, under date of 
October 7, 1691: "Charter of Massachusetts. Herein the Council or Assistants are 
named as in No. 1,772, and Isaac Addington Ls named Secretar>'" (No. 1,806, p. 
550). Hutchinson's name was inadvertently omitted in the printed Calendar, Misa 
Drucker informing me that it occurs in the original of No. 1,772. 



36 THE COLONIAL SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS [March, 

In the following list these names are brought together under a single 
alphabet, thus making it possible to tell at a glance to which Council 
each belonged. Variations in the spelling of names, where important, 
are noted in footnotes; ^ and to the name of each person is added the 
colony to which he belonged. The abbreviations here used are ob- 
vious, with the possible exception of the letters "N. C." and "N. P.," 
which indicate respectively the Narragansett Country and the New 
Plymouth Colony. 

List of Councillors, 1685-1691 

A = Named in Commission to Dudley, Oct. 8, 1685 ^ 
B = Named in Instructions to Andres, Sept. 12, 1686 ^ 
C = Named in Instructions to Andros, April 16, 1688* 
D = Named in Province Charter, Oct. 7, 1691 * 

B G Albro,6 John. R. I. Died 1712.7 

D Alcock,8 Job. Me. Died about 1716.9 
C Allyn, John. Ct. Died 1696.io 

D Appleton, Samuel. Mass. Died May 15, 1696." 
Arnold, Richard. R. I. Died April 22, 1710. ^ 
Baxter, Jarvis. N. Y. 
Bayard, Nicholas. ^^ n, y_ 
Bradford, William. N. P. Died Feb. 20, 1704." 

1 The form given in the text is more or less arbitrary. Trifling differences — 
hive "BrowTi" or "Browne," "Clark" or "Clarke" or "Clerk," "Gedney" or 
' ' G idney , " " Winthrop " or " Winthorp ' ' — are not noted. 

2 See p. 30 note 1, above. 
^ See p. 32 note 3, above. 
* See p. 35 note 1, above. 
^ See p. 35 note 2, above. 
6 "Alborough" (B, C). 

^ The date is variously given as November 1 (J. N. Arnold, Vital Record of 
Rhode Island, Newport, iv. 49), November 14 (Savage, Genealogical Dictionary, 
i. 20), and December 14 (J. 0. Austin, One Hundred and Sixty AUied Famihes, p. 1). 

8 "Alcott" (D). 

5 His will, dated December 2, 1712, was proved in 1716 (New England Historical 
and Genealogical Register, xxxvi. 401^02). 

" Savage says he died November 6, 1696 (Genealogical Dictionary, i. 43). On- 
February 24, 1697, Wait Winthrop wrote: "I forgot in the other letter to tell you 
that CoU. All>Ti is dead this winter at Hartford" (5 Massachusetts Historical Col- 
lections, viii. 525). 

" Ipswich Vital Records, ii. 483. 

^ Savage, i. 66. 

13 His will, dated May 9, 1707, was proved April 19, 1711 (Collections New York 
Historical Society for 1893, pp. 68-69). 

" "Febr. 20 [1704]. Major WiUiam Bradford dies in the SO*'' of his Age: He 
was a Right New-England Christian" (SewaU, Diary, ii. 95). 



B C 




C 




C 




B C 


D 





C 




C 


A B 


c 


A 




B 


c 


B 


c 



1913] LIST OF COUNCILLORS, 1685-1691 37 

A Bradstreet, Dudley. Mass. Did not accept. Died Nov. 13, 

1702.1 
A D Bradstueet, Simon. Mass. Did not accept. Died March 27, 

1697.2 
Brockholes, Anthony.' N. Y. 
Browne, Willi.\m, Jr. Mass. Died Feb. 23, 1716.* 
BuLKLEY,^ Peter. Mass. H. C. 1G60; died May 25, 1688.6 
Chasipeunoon, Francis. Me. Did not serve. Died before May 

21, 1GS7.' 
Clarke, Nathaniel. N. P. Died Jan. 31, 1717.8 
Clarkje, Walter. R. I. Died May 23, 1714.9 

^ Andover Vital Records, ii. 397. He was a son of Gov. Simon Bradstreet. 

2 "About 10. at night Gov'' Bradstreet dyes; which we are told of March, 29*^ 
at Cambridge" (Sewall, March 27, 1697, Diary, i. 450-451). 

In saying that "The hst of counciUors [under Andros] in Palfrey's New England, 
ed. of 1S90, vol. 3, p. G04, includes Smion Bradstreet, Dudley Bradstreet, Nathaniel 
Saltonstall and Francis Champemo\^Tie " (Laws of New Hampshire, 1904, i. 144 
note), Mr. A. S. Batchellor is in error. Palfrey gives a list of the Councillors under 
Dudley, and then says: "In Andros' s first Commission all the above-named Coun- 
sellors were included, except the two Bradstreets, Saltonstall, and Champernoon, 
who had not accepted the trust; and the following were added." Tliis statement is 
correct, except that the members of Andros's first Council were named not in his 
Commission but in his Instructions. 

2 An extract from a letter WTitten by Randolph on May 21, 16S7, reads: "His 
Excell, has to do with a per\'erse people. Here is none of the coimcil at hand, Ex- 
cept Mr Mason, & myself, & M"" B.[rockholt] & M"^ Usher, who appear Uvely for 
liis Majesty's Interest" (4 Massachusetts Historical Collections, viii. 531). Brock- 
holes was not a member of the Council at that time, hence a mistake was made in 
expanding "B." into "B.[rockholt]." Randolph's letter is printed in full in Top- 
pan's Randolph, where we read: "his Excellence has to do with a pen^erse people 
here is none of the Councill at hand except M"" Mason and my selfe who and M' 
Bulkley and M'' Vsher appcare huely for his IMa*'®* interest: Maj Bulkley and M' 
Hinks are remote and come seldome" (vi. 221). 

* "P>br. 23, 17l6. The hon*"^ Wilham Brown esqr. died in his house at Salem" 
(Sewall, Diary, iii. 74). 

^ "BuUdey" (A), "Buckly" (B), "Buckley" (C). 

® "May 25^*^ 1688. Col. Peter Bulkley of Concord dies, having languished for 
a long time. Died this Friday about eleven aclock" (Sewall, Diary, i. 215). 

^ On May 21, 1687, Randolph wrote: "Twill be for his Majestyes serv^ice to putt 
Mr. Shrmipton in the place of Capt. Champernoon and Mr. Luscombe in the place 
of Mr. Jo. Sandford of Rhoad Island, both dead" (Toppan's Randolph, iv. 163). 
Owing to indisposition, Champernoon cUd not ser\'e in Dudley's Council (see 
p. 31, above), and was not a member of Andros's first Coimcil; hence C. W.Tuttle 
was mistaken in saying that Champernoon "was .continued in this otfice under Sir 
Edmund Andros, the successor of Dudley, and held it until his death in 1687" 
(Historical Papers, p. 120). 

8 Savage, i. 399. 

9 "Rfiode-Island, May 28. Last Lord's Day Dyed here Walter Clarke Esq; 



B 


C 

C 


D 
D 
D 


A B 


C 


D 


A B 


c 


D 


B 


c 





38 THE COLONIAL SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS [MARCH, 

CoGGESHALL,! JoHN. R. I. Died Oct. 1, 1708.2 
CoRTLANDT, STEPHEN VAN.' N. Y. Died Nov. 25, 1700.^ 
CuRWiN, Jonathan. Mass. Died June 9, 1718.^ 
Davis, Silvanus. Me. Died in 1703. ^ 
Donnell,^ Samuel. Me. Died March 9, 1718.8 
Dudley, Joseph. Mass. H. C. 1665; died April 2, 1720.9 
Foster, John. Mass. Died in February, 1711.i° 
Gedney, Bartholomew. Me. Died March 1, 1698." 
Greene, John. R. I. Died Nov. 27, 1708.^2 



Deputy Govemour of Rhode-Island, and Providence Plantations, in the Seventy 
Seventh Year of his Age " (Boston News Letter, May 31, 1714, p. 2/2). A document 
dated June 7, 1714, says that "it hath pleased God, after a long and tedious sick- 
ness to take our hon'd father, Walter Clarke out of this world by that fatal messen- 
ger, death, on ye 23d day of May, 1714" (Newport Historical Magazine, iii. 140). 

1 "CoxsheU" (B), "Coxhill" (C). 

2 Newport Historical Magazine, iii. 186. He was the son of John CoggeshaU, 
first President of Rhode Island, who died November 27, 1647 (ibid.). 

3 "Stephen Courtland" (C). 

« Bellomont wrote: "P. S. 26*'' Nov. 1700. I intended you Collonel Courtland's 
Quarterly Book of Entries and Clearings of ships wliich he was providing, but he 
fell sick about 8 days since and dyed yesterday" (New York Colonial Documents, 
iv. 779). 

B " June, 9 [1718]. Mr. Corwin dies about 9. m." (Sewall, Diary, iii. 186). 

6 Collections Mame Historical Society, i. 309; Suffolk Probate Files, No. 2806. 

7 "Daniell" (D). 

8 Savage, ii. 59; Collections Maine Historical Society, i. 310; Maine WiUs, pp. 
199-200. 

9 "Boston, On Saturday the 2d Currant Dyed the very Honourable JOSEPH 
DUDLEY, Esq ; at his Seat in Roxbury, in the 73d Year of his Age, being bom 
September 23d 1647" (Boston News Letter, April 11, 1720, p. 2/1). The letter 
"A" is placed against Dudley's name for convenience, though it is perhaps a ques- 
tion whether, strictly spealdng, he was or was not a member of that Council. 

10 "Febr. 9 [1711]. Seventh-day, between 11 and 12 m. Col. John Foster ex- 
pires. His place at the Council Board and Court will hardly be filled up. I have 
lost a good Left-hand man. The Lrd save New-England! Now just half the 
Counsellours mention' d in the Charter, are dead; The Lord prepare the rest, and me 
especially to follow after" (Sewall, Diary, ii. 300). Sewall has made a mistake either 
in the day of the month or in the day of week, since February 9 was Friday, not 
Saturday. 

11 "March, 1 [1698]. Col. Barthol, Gedney dies" (SewaU, Diary, ii. 8*). 

12 O. P. Fuller, History of Waroack (1875), pp. 30-31, 69; H. E. Turner, Greenes 
of Warwick in Colonial History (1877), p. 44; The Greene Family in England and 
America with Pedigrees (1901), pp. 43-44. "During the administration of Sir 
Edmond Andros/' writes H. E. Turner, "the name of Jolm Greene does not appear 
on the record. He appears as one of those named of the council, but he, probably, 
never took the engagement, and as the Narragansett petitioners say, sometime in 
1686 he was about going to England, probably he was absent a part of that time" 



1913] LIST OF COUNCILLORS, 1685-1691 39 

D Hawthorn, John. Mass. Died in May, 1717.* 

D Hayman, Samuel. Mass.^ Died Dec. 14, 1712.» 

ABC HiNCKEs, John.* N. H. 

BCD Hinckley, Thomas. Did not serve in D. Died April 16, 1705.^ 

D Hutchinson, Elisha. Mass. Died Dec. 10, 1717.« 



(Greenes of Warwick in Colonial History, p. 44). On July 3, 1686, an address from 
Rhode Island to James II was drawn up (Rhode Island Colonial Records, iii. 193- 
194); in two documents without precise date it is stated that Greene "is gone to 
attend your Majesty" (iv. 208, 209); and Greene was certainly in England in Jan- 
uary', 1687 (iv. 221-222). Hence it is probable that he carried the address to Eng- 
land. The following extract is taken from the London Gazette of September 16, 
1686: 

Windsor, Sept. 13. His Majesty has Graciously received the Address of the 
Colony of Rhode Island, and Providence Plantation in New England, Humbly 
Representing, that upon the Signification of a Writ of Quo Warrajito against their 
Charter, They had resolved, in general Assembly, not to stand Suit with His 
Majesty, but wholly to submit to His Royal Pleasure themselves and their Charter; 
whereof His ^Majesty has thought fit to accept the Surrender (p. 2/2). 

Greene and Mason were back in Boston by May 21, 1687, on which day "Robert 
Mason and John Greene Esq''^ tooke the Oathes of Allegiance, and that for perform- 
ing the duty of Councellors, being both lately arrived from England" (Council 
Records, ii. 120). 

1 "May, 13.2 [1717]. Set out for Salem . . . Went to the Funeral of Col. 
Hathome" (Sewall, Diary, iii. 130). 

^ In the Massachusetts Province Laws, HajTnan, Alcock, and Donnell are 
assigned to the Province of Maine, while Davis is assigned as "0/ the inhabitants of, 
or proprietors of, land loithin the territory lying between the river of the Sagadahoc and 
Nova Scotia" (vii. 6). But in the list of Coimcillors furnished by Mather and 
Ashurst on September 18, 1691 (see p. 35 note 3, above), Hayman is assigned to 
Massachusetts, and Alcock, Davis, and DonneU to Maine. 

' "Dec"" IS [1712]. After Lecture, and Diiicr I go to the Funeral of Capt. Sam' 
Hajinan, aged 70. years. . . . He was at Boston Lecture this day Sehight, and 
died on the Lords-day night. He was a Lover of New-England" (Sewall, Diary, 
ii. 369). 

* For a sketch of Hinckes, see Collections New Hampshire Historical Society, 
viii. 360-364. 

* "Barnstaple, April 25. On Monday the 16th Currant, Dyed suddenly here, 
Thomas Hinkley, Esqr. formerly Govemourof Plimouth-Colony : Aged about 86 Years" 
(Boston News Letter, April 30, 1705, p. 2/2). 

* "Boston, On Tuesday last the tenth Currant Died here the Honourable Col. 
Elisha Hutchinson, Esq; aged Seventy six Years, a true lover of his Count ly, of an 
Exemplary conversation, a true friend to pure Religion, a Gentleman whose deserts 
raised [him] to some of the highest Posts in the Government for many Years, he 
was Colonel of the Regiment, Chief Judge of the Infcriour Court of Common Pleas, 
and one of His Majesty's Council for this Province" (Boston News Letter, Decem- 
ber 16, 1717). 







D 


B 


C 
C 


D 
D 


A B 


c 


D 
D 


B 


c 

c 





40 THE COLONLiL SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS [March, 

Joyliffe/ John. Mass. Died Nov. 23, 1701.2 

LoTHROP, Barnabas.^ N. P. Died in 1715.* 

Lynde, Joseph. Mass. Died Jan. 29, 1727.* 

Lynde, Simon. Mass. Did not serve. Died Nov. 22, 1687.^ 

Mason, Robert. N. H. Died Sept. 6, 1688.^ 

Mason, Stephen. Mass. Did not sei-ve.^ 

MiDDLECOTT, RiCHARD. Mass. Died June 13, 1704.' 

Newbury, Walter. R. I. Died Aug. G, 1097.1" 

Nicholson, Francis." Mass. Died March 5, 1728. 

1 "JoUiffe" (D). 

2 "Nov"" 23. 1701. John Joyliffe Esqr. dies. He had been bhnd, and laboured 
under many Infirmities for a long time" (Sewall, Diary, ii. 48). 

3 "Barnaby Lathrop" (B, C), "Barnabas Lothrop" (D). 
* Savage, iii. 119. 

5 "On the last Lord's Day the 29th of January past, Dyed at Charlestown the 
Honourable Joseph Lynde, Esq; Aged 90 Years, born in that place, formerly one 
of His Majesty's Council of this Province" (Boston News Letter, Februarj.' 2, 1727, 
p. 2/2). 

6 "Tuesday, Nov. 22 [1687]. I goe to Hog-Island ... on Wednesday came 
home and hear of Justice Lynda's death yesterday about noon" (SewaU, Diary, 
i. 195). See p. 34, above. 

^ "I . . . send this . . . which serves onely to acquaint you of ye Death of my 
Cousin Mason, who dyed the 6 instant was buried at Ivingstone \'pon tliis riuer" 
(Randolph to Blathwayt, September 12, 1688, Massachusetts Archives, cxxix. 181; 
cf. Toppan's Randolph, iv. 235). 

8 "Mason was a merchant in London, a zealous man in the cause of New Eng- 
land, and I suppose his name was inserted in the charter from mere respect and 
gratitude, for he never came over to New England" (Hutcliinson, History of Mas- 
sachusetts, Boston, 1767, ii. 15 note). On this Savage comments as follows: "At 
the first elect, [in 1693] our people were not prevented by respect or gratitude from 
leav. him out, as they did sev. others of the creatures of Mather" (Genealogical 
Dictionary, iii. 170). The fact that Mason was not resident in Massachusetts in 
1693 is sufficient to accoimt for his being left out that year. Allusions to him will 
be found in Sewall's Diary and Letter-Book. It has been asserted, but perhaps 
on inadequate evidence, that he was in Massachusetts in 1686: see Massachu- 
setts Province Laws, vii. 5 note; Z. G. Whitman, History of the Ancient and 
Honorable Artillery Company (1842), p. 220; O. A. Roberts, History of the 
Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company (1895), i. 276, 277, 286; C. Robbins, 
History of the Second Church (1852), p. 263. 

^ W. H. Whitmore, Genealogy of the Payne and Gore Families (Prince Society) 
p. 12; Suffolk Probate Files, No. 2883. 

^° J. O. Austin, Genealogical Dictionary of Rhode Island, p. 137. 
" "John Nicholson" (C). Bom November 12, 1655, Francis Nicholson was 
commissioned an Ensign on January 16, 1678, and on July 30, 1686, Captain of a 
Company of Foot for the Colony of New England. He came over in December, 
1686, the first allusion to him here by name apparently being an entry in Sewall's 
Diaiy for May 17, 1687 (i. 177). He was never knighted. See C. Dalton, English 
Army Lists and Commission Registers, 1661-1714, i. 221, 269, 323, ir. 27, 83, vi. 
20, 184, 191, 287, 399-400; Dalton, George the Fu-st's Army, 1714r-1727, ii. 55- 



1913] LIST OF COUNCILLORS, 1685-1691 41 

C Palmer, John. N. Y. 

C Philipse,! Frederick. N. Y. Died Nov. 6, 1702.8 

D PiiiLUPS, John. Mass. Died March 21, 1725.' 

D Pike, Robert. Mass. Died Dec, 1706.'» 

ABC Pynchon, John. Mass. Died Jan. 17, 1703.5 

ABC Randolph, Edward. Mass. Died in April, 1703." 

D Richards, John. Mass. Died April 2, 1694.^ 

D Russell, J.uies. Mass. Died April 28, 1709.^ 

A D Saltonstall, Nathaniel. Mass. Did not accept A. H. C. 1659; 

died May 21, 1707.^ 

B C Sanford, John. R.I. Did not serve. »" Died before May 21, 1687." 

D Sergeant, Peter. Mass. Died Feb. 8, 1714.»2 



62; Notes and Queries, September 12, 1903, Ninth Series, xii. 201-202; Nation, 
xcvii. 32. He is sometimes assigned to New York, but he did not go to New 
York until long after his arrival at Boston. His death was noted in the New 
England Weekly Journal of April 29, 1728, p. 2/2. 

1 "Philhps" (C). The name is found in over a dozen different forms. 

« E. H. Hall, Phihpse Manor at Yonlcers (1912), pp. 38-39; Collections New 
York Historical Society for 1892, pp. 369-374. 

3 "On the last Lord's Day died at Charlestown the Honourable John Phillips, 
Esq; formerly of His Majesty's Council in this Pro^'ince, Aged 90 odd Years" 
(Boston News Letter, March 25, 1725, p. 2/2). 

* "Salisbury; Major Robert Pike Esq. was Interr'd here on Thursday the 19th. of 
December last; the Foot Company of the Town, and the Troop, being in Arms. He 
died iB the 92 year of his Age" (Boston News Letter, January 6, 1707, p. 4/2). 

6 "Col. John PjTichon died Jan^ 17. 1703, about Sun-Rise, as Mr. Holyoke tells 
me Sabbath-Day" (Sewall, Diary, February 6, ii. 73). 

6 Toppan's Randolph, ii. 182. 

' "April 2, 1694. Monday. ... In the Afternoon, all the Town is filled with 
the discourse of ALajor Richards's Death, which was extraordinarily suddain; was 
abroad on the Sabbath, din'd verj^ well on Monday, and after falling into an angry 
passion with hi.? Ser\-ant Richard Frame, presently after, fell probably mto a Fit 
of Apoplexy, and died" (Sewall, Diarj-, i. 389-390). 

8 "Thorsday, April, 28 [1709]. Mr. Russell dies about 11. a.rn. He was a good 
Christian, and right New-England Man; is I think the last of them chosen in the 
year 1680: about 68. years old" (Sewall, Diary, ii. 253). 

» "May, 22 [1707]. Thorsday, . . . Bro"" Tapm tells me of the death of Col. 
Saltonstall on Wednesday after Lecture" (Sewall, Diarj', ii. 187). Cf. Haverhill 
Vital Records, ii. 466. 

" At least, he is not recorded as present at any meeting of the Council. 
" Rhode Island Historical Magazine, vii. 294-295. In a letter dated May 21, 
1687, Randolph said that Sanford was dead (see p. 37 note 7, above). He is some- 
times confused with his father, also John Sanford, who was President of Rhode 
Island in 1653 anfl died between June 22 and November 16 of that year (Rhode 
Island Historical Magazine, vii. 293-294). 

^ "Boston, On Monday last dyed here the Honourable Peter Sargent Esqr. of 
Her Majesty's Council] for this Province" (Boston News Letter, February 15, 
1714, p. 2/2). 



42 THE COLONIAL SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS [MakcH, 

D Sewall, Samuel. Mass. H. C. 1671; died Jan. 1, 1730.1 

C Sheimpton, Samuel. Mass. Died Feb. 8, 1698.^ 

B C Smith, Daniel. N. P. Died April 28, 1692.^ 

C Smith, Richard. N. C. Died about 1692.* 

C Spragg, John. N. Y. Did not serve.^ 



1 "This Morning about half an hour after Five Died here the very Honourable 
Samuel Sewall, Esq; in the 78th Year of his Age" (Boston News Letter, 
January 1, 1730, p. 2/2). 

2 "Febr. 9 [1698]. Col. S. Shrimpton dies of an Apoplexy" (Sewall, Diary, ii. 
8*). This entry is apparently wrong, as Sewall elsewhere writes: "Fourth-day, 
Febr. 9. Last night, about nine of the clock, Col. Shrimpton dyes of an Apoplexy " 
(Diary, i. 470), And on February 9 Wait Winthrop wrote: "I fear the post will 
be gon, so must end by giueing you the bad news that Coll. Shrimpton dyed about 
nine of the clock the last night, haueing not bin sick aboue two or three days, tho 
something indisposed as he use to be longer " (5 Massachusetts Historical Collections 
viii. 528). 

* J. N. Arnold, Vital Records of Rehoboth, p. 876. 

« His will, dated March 16, 1691, was proved July 12, 1692 (Savage, iv. 131; 
Suffolk Probate Files, No. 1970). 

^ Though in the Instructions to Andros the name clearly reads "John Spragg," 
it has hitherto been assumed that "Spragg" was a variant of "Sprague," and John 
Sprague has been assigned sometimes to Pthode Island (A. S. BatcheUor, Laws of 
New Hampshire, 1904, i. 144), and sometimes — on the authority of an old list 
printed by Hutchinson — to Plymouth Colony (Hutchinson, History of Massachu- 
setts, London, 1765, i. 354; Bayhes, Historical Memoir of New Plymouth, vol. ii. 
pt. iv. p. 43; BatcheUor, Laws of New Hampshire, i. 830 and note 1. Cf. Savage, 
Genealogical Dictionary, iv. 153-154, who challenged this identification). The 
person was unquestionably John Spragg (Sprag, Spragge), who hved in New York 
from 1683 to 1687. On January 27, 1683, Spragg was commissioned by the Duke 
of York Secretary of New York and reached there the following summer or autumn 
(Calendar of State Papers, America and West Indies, 1681-1685, Nos. 919, 1415, 
pp. 378, 555). On August 11, 1685, Governor Dongan wrote Blathwayt that "Mr 
Sprag the Secretary of this place will goe for England this winter and carry the 
Lav.'s" (New York Colonial Documents, iii. 364). The Instructions to Dongan 
issued May 29, 1686, contained this clause: "Wliereupon you are forthwith to call 
together the members of our Council for that our Province, by name Anthony 
Brockholes, Frederick Philips, Stephanus van Courtland, Lucas Santen, John 
Spragg, Jervas Baxter, and John Young Esquires" (ibid. iii. 369). On September 
13, 1686, Spragg wrote Blathwayt, "I hope to be myself the bearer of the quarterly 
returns required by the Lords of Trade and Plantations" (Calendar of State 
Papers, America and West Indies, 1685-1688, No. 861, p. 242). On September 14 
"Governor Dongan took the oaths on receiving his new Commission and Instruc- 
tions. Anthony Brockholes, Frederick Flipson, Stephanus van Cortlandt, John 
Spragge, and Gervis Baxter were sworn of the Council. Agreed that Mr. Santen 
be not sworn yet" (ibid. No. 862, p. 242). On February 22, 1687, Dongan wrote 
that "The Council thought fit not to give M'' Santen his Oath, as appears by the 
Minutes of Council. John Young had his oath given him, but hee hves 150 miles 
from this, and has noe estate of his own and very old, that it is a thing impossible 



A 


B 


C 
C 




A 


B 


C 




A 


B 


C 




A 


B 


C 






B 


C 


D 



1913] LIST OF COUNCILLORS, 1685-1691 43 

Stoughton, William. Mass. H. C. 1650; died July 7, 1701. ^ 

Treat, Robert. Ct. Died July 12, 1710.2 

Tyng, Edward. Me. Died about 1701.^ 

Tyng, Jonathan. Mass. Died Jan. 19, 1724.* 

Usher, John. Mass. Died Sept. 1, 1726.* 

Walley, John. N. P. Died Jan. 11, 1714.8 

for him to serve" (New York Colonial Documents, iii. 416). (Notwithstanding this 
statement, Jolm Youngs did serve and was present at several Council meetings.) 
On the same day (February 22, 1687), "Names of the new Councillors recommended 
by Governor Dongan in the letter; with an intimation that he has already appointed 
Judge Palmer and Nicholas Bayard to the Council" (Calendar of State Papers, 
America and West Indies, 1685-1688, No. 1140i, p. 322). On March 2, 1687, 
Dongan wrote to the King, "I send Capt" Baxter and M"" Spragg and humbly beg 
your Mat^ will discourse them" (New York Colonial Documents, iii. 423). Spragg 
must have sailed about that time, since various documents were endorsed as "Reed. 
9 May 1687, per Mr. J. Spragge" (Calendar of State Papers, America and West 
Inches, 1685-1688, pp. 322, 335). As stated in the text, Spragg was named a Coun- 
cillor in the Instructions to Andros of April 16, 1688. In a dociunent dated De- 
cember, 1689, we read: "List of the Council of New York, with comments against 
the names. Anthony Brockholes (papist); Frederick Flj'pse; Ger\-ais Ba.xter (a 
papist); Stephan van Cortlandt; John Sprag (in England); Nicholas Bayard; John 
Palmer (in custody at Boston)" (ibid. 1689-1692, No. 667, p. 197). Tliis is the 
last allusion I find to Spragg, and as his name is not included as a Councillor in 
the Instructions to Governor Sloughter issued January 31, 1690 (ibid. No. 750, 
p. 215), it may be assumed that he died in London late in 1689. (Many other refer- 
ences to Spragg are in the Calendars of State Papers, America and West Indies; 
New York Colonial Documents; Calendar of Historical Manuscripts, in the Office 
of the Secretary of State, Albany, 1866, pt. ii. pp. 104, 106, 112, 114, 132, 133, 144, 
146, 154, 155, 162; and Journal of the Legislative Council of the Colony of New 
York, 1861, vol. i. pp. xii, xiv, xv, xvii). 

1 See p. 50, below. 

2 H. R. Stiles, History of Ancient Wethersfield (1904), ii. 713. 
» Savage, iv. 357; SufTolk Probate Files, No. 2653. 

* "Woobum; Lord's Day, .January 19th. We were here entertain'd with a very 
loud Memento Mori: The Honourable Col. JonatJmn Tyng Esq; walking to the 
place of Publick Worship in the Afternoon, ex7)ired as soon as he got into his seat, 
during the time of the first Prayer, and was carried out dead, Mtatis 81. His Faith 
and Hohness were so apparent that we are perswaded he was convey'd to the 
Assembly of the First-bom in Heaven, to bear a part with them in glorifying their 
Creator and Redeemer" (Boston News Letter, January 23, 1724, p. 2/2). In 
the New England Courant of January' 27, 1724, the date by an obvious misprint is 
given as "Sunday the 29th Instant" (p. 2/2). 

^ "And on the 1st Instant, died at his Seat near Medford, the Honourable John 
Usher Esq; sometime since Lieut. Governour of the Province of New-Hampshire, 
in the 79 Year of his Age, & was Honourably Interr'd here on Monday last" (Boston 
News Letter, September 8, 1726, p. 2/2). 

• "Boston. On Friday the Eleventh Currant, Dyed here the Honourable John 
Walley Esq; of Her Majesty's Council, and one of the Judges of the Superiour 



44 THE COLONIAL SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS [March, 

ABC Wharton, Richard. Mass. Died May 14, 1689.^ 

D WiNTHROP, Adaivi. Mass. Died Aug. 3, 1700.^ 

ABC WiNTHROP, FiTZ .John. Ct. Died Nov. 27, 1707.3 

A B C D WiNTHROP, Wait. Mass. Died Nov. 7, 1717.* 

C YouNGS,5 John. N. Y. Died about 1698.6 

V 

PROVINCE OF THE MASSACHUSETTS BAY, 1691-1775 

Governors 

Sir William Phips was commissioned Governor by William and 
Mary on December 12, 1691. Arriving in Boston on May 14, 1692, 
he was sworn on May 16. Sewall -^Tites: 

May 14*^ 1692. Sir William arrives in the Nonsuch Frigat: Candles 
are lighted before He gets into Town-house. Eight Companies wait on 
Him to his house, and then on Mr. [Increase] Mather to his. Made no 
volleys because 'twas Satterday night. . . . 

Monday, May 16. Eight Companies and two from Charlestown guard 
Sir William and his Councillors to the Townhouse, where the Comissions 
were read out and Oaths taken. ^ 



•Court of tiiis Province, in the Sixty Ninth Year of his Age" (Boston News Letter, 
January 14, 1712, p. 2/2). 

1 "Tuesday, May 14*^ [1689], Mr. Richard Wharton dyes about 10 post merid" 
(Sewall's Diary, i. 255). 

2 "Aug* 3 [1700]. . . . About 2 post merid, Mr. Adam Winthrop dies" (Sewall, 
Diary, ii. 21). 

3 "Boston, Nov. 27. About four a Clock this morning the Honourable John 
Winthrop Esqr. Govemour of Her Majesties Colony of Connecticut, Departed this 
Life in the Sixty Ninth Year of his Age; being Born at Ipswich in New England the 
14th day of March, Anno 1638" (Boston News Letter, December 1, 1707, p. 2/1). 
He was the son of Gov. John Winthrop, Jr., of Connecticut. 

* "Boston, On Thursday the 7th Currant cUed here the Honourable Major Gen- 
eral WAIT WINTHROP Esq; Aged 76 Years, Justly Dear to his Country for his 
Honourable Descent . . . but dearer yet for his personal Character and Vertues" 
(Boston News Letter, November 18, 1717) . He was the son of Gov. John Winthrop, 
Jr., of Connecticut 

6 "Young" (C). 

6 His will, dated February 20, 1697, was proved May 28, 1698 (Collections New 
York Historical Society for 1892, pp. 292-293). On October 17, 1700, Bellomont 
wrote: "To instance, in some of those false articles, I am accus'd of having remov'd 
CoU. Young with others from the Council, and Coll: Young was dead two years 
before my coming into this country" (New York Colonial Documents, iv. 726). 
Bellomont reached New York April 2, 1698 (see p. 49 note 2, below). 

7 Diary, i. 360. 



1913] SIR WILLIAM PHIPS INAUGURATED GOVERNOR, 1692 45 

The following extracts are from the Council Records of May 16th: 

Their Majesties Royal Charter for the Erecting Uniting and Incorpo- 
rating of tlieir Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New-England, and 
for settling of Government within the said Province, under the great 
seal of England, was read and published. 

Their Majesties Letters Pattents under the great seal of England, for 
constituting and appointing S'' William Phips kn' to be Captain General 
and Governour in Chief in and over their Maj"''^ Pro\'ince of the ]\Iassa- 
chusetts Bay in New England; as also for the Constituting and appoint- 
ing of the said S'' William Phips to be their Maj''*^^ Lieutenant and 
Commander in Chief of the Militia Forces, Forts and places of strength 
within their Maj"''^ several Colonies of Connecticutt, Rhode Lsland & 
Providence Planta*^'"* the Narragansett Country or Kings Province, & 
the Pro\'ince of New Hampshire, was read and published. 

Their Majesties Letters Patents under the great seal of the Supreme 
Court of Admiralty of England granting unto S'' William Phips kn* the 
Office of Vice Admiral within the Province and Territory of the Mas- 
sachusetts Bay, and the sea parts belonging and adjoyning thereto 
whatsoever, was also shewn forth and published. . . . 

His Excellency the GoV tooke his oath for the due & faithful perform- 
ance of his Office or place of Governour; as also the Oaths appointed by 
Act of Parliament made in the first year of their present Maj*'®^ Reign, 
Entituled an Act for the abrogating of all the Oaths of Supremacy & 
Allegiance, and appointing other Oaths, being administred unto him, 
by William Stoughton Esq""" L* Governour. . . . 

The Members of tlie Council then present: \nz* John Richards Wait 
Winthrop, John Phillips, James Russell, John Joyliffe, Adam Winthrop, 
Rich*^ Middlecutt, John Foster, Peter Sergeant, Joseph Lynde, Samuel 
Hayman, & Silvanus Da\as Esq""' each one severally for himselfe tooke 
his Oath for the due and faithful performance of his Office or place of a 
Councellor or Assistant, and the Oaths appointed to be taken instead of 
the Oaths of Allegiance & Supremacy. Before the Governour & L* 
Governour.^ 

The oath taken by the Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, Secretary, 
and Councillors is as follows: 

We S' William Phips K"' Governo' &c=' of their Maj"" Province of 
the ^Lissachusetts Bay in New England William Stoughton Esq'' 
Lieutenant Governour And the Counccllors or Assistants of their Ma*'®' 

1 Council Records, ii. 166-168. 



46 



THE COLONIAL SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS 



[March, 



said Province, and Secretary, Each one particularly and severally for 
Our Selves, Do make, repeat and subscribe the following Declaration in 
the words thereof, — Mutatis Nominibus Viz* 

I, William Phips, do solemnly and sincerly in the presence of God, 
profess. Testify and declare. That I do believe. That in the Sacrament 
of the Lords Supper, there is not any Transubstantiation of the Elements 
of Bread and Wine into the Body and Blood of Christ, at or after the 
Consecration thereof by any person whatsoever, and that the Invocation 
or Adoration of the Virgin Mary, or any other Saint, and the Sacrifice 
of the Mass as they are now used in the Chm-ch of Rome are Supersti- 
tious and Idolatrous. And I do solemnly in the presence of God profess, 
testify and declare. That I do make this Declaration and every part 
thereof in the plain and Ordinary Sense of the words read unto me, as 
they are commonly understood by English Protestants, without any 
Evasion, Equivocation or Mental Reservation whatsoever. And with- 
out any dispensation already granted me for this purpose by the 
Pope, or any Authority, or Person whatsoever. Or without any hope of 
any such dispensation from any Person, or Authority whatsoever, Or 
without thinking that I am or can be Acquitted before God or man. Or 
absolved of this Declaration, Or any part thereof. Although the Pope, 
or any other person or persons whatsoever should dispense with, or annul 
the same. Or declare that it was Null and void from the begining. 

Isaac Addington ^ John Hathorne John Richards 

Job Alcock Samuel Hayman James Russell 

Sam^^ Appleton Elisha Hutchinson Nath: Saltonstall 
William Bradford John Joyliffe 
Jonathan Corwin Barnabas Lathrop 

Joseph Lynde 

Richard Middlecutt 

John Phillips 

William Phips 

RoB^ Pike 



SiLVANUs- Davis 
Samuel Donnell 
John Foster 
Barth*' Gedney 



Peter Sergeant 
Samuel Sewall 
William Stoughton 
John Walley 
Adam Wtnthrop 
Wait Winthrop^ 



1 For convenience these names are arranged alphabetically. 

2 Public Record Office, Colonial Office, Class 5, Vol. 785, p. 172. (A copy is in 
Council Records, ii. 16.5-166.) The signatures to tliis document are not auto- 
graphs, as I am mformed by Miss Lucy Drucker, who also says that "the original 
ought to be among the Oath Rolls (Chancery Petty Bag), of which however very 
few have been preserved, and I have found none of the various colonies among 
them." Nor is the original at the Boston State House. Phips's Commission was 
approved December 3, and he himself took the oaths in London on December 31, 
1691 (Acts of the Privy Council, Colonial, ii. 799). Many oaths, however, have 
been preserved at the State House. The oath taken by the Representatives on 



1913] FOILMS OF OATHS AND ASSOCIATION, 1692-1699 47 

On November 15, 1G94, — 

Upon the motion of his Excell'^^ the Governour that he had some things 
material to offer, relating to the complaints exliibited against him by 

June 8, 1692 (Massachusetts Archives, xlviii. 188), is written and is like the oath 
printed in the text. The oaths taken by the Councillors in May, 1693, are printed 
on a broadside to which the signatures are attached, and read as follows (Massa- 
chusetts Archives, xlviii. 212) : 

A TRUE COPY 
OF THE 

OATHS 

That are appointed by Act of Parliament, made in the First Year 
of Their present Majesties Reign; to be Taken instead of the 
Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance, and the Declaration ap- 
pointed to be made. Repeated and Subscribed 

I A. B. do sincerely Promise and Swear, That I wUl be Faithful, and bear true 
Allegiance to Their Majesties, King W I L L I A M and Queen M A RY. 

So help me God, &c. 

I A. B. do Swear, That I do from my Heart Abhor, Detest, and Abjure, as Im- 
pious and Heretical, that Damnable Doctrine and Position, That Princes Ex- 
communicated or Deprived by the Pope, or any Authority of the See of Rome, 7nay be 
Deposed or Murthered by their Subjects, or any other whatsoever. 

And I do Declare, That no Foreign Prince, Person, Prelate, State, or Potentate, 
hath, or ought to have any JuriscUction, Power, Superiority, Preeminence, or Au- 
thority Ecclesiastical or Spiritual within this Reahn. 

So help me God, &c. 

Then foUows the Declaration — "I A. B. do solemnly and sincerely . . . null 
and void from the beginning^' — as printed in the text. 

To these oaths were added in May, 1699, what was called the Association, which 
in that year was written (Massachusetts .\rchives, cvi. 450). This, taken from 
a printed broadside, signed in 1700, reads as follows (Massachusetts Archives, 
xlviii. 317): 

Association. 

W[EREAS there has been a horrid and detestable Conspiracy 
formed and carried on by Papists and other wicked and traiter- 
ous persons for Assassinating His Majesties Royal Person, in 
order to encourage an Invasion from France, to subvert our 
ReUgion, Laws and Liberty. We whose Names are hereunto 
subscribed, Do heartily, sincerely and solemnly profess, testify and declare. That 
His present Majesty KING WILLIAM is rightful and lawful KING of the 
Realms of England, Scotland and Ireland: And we do mutually promise and en- 
gage to stand by and a.ssi«t each other to the utmost of our power, in the support 
and defence of His Majesties most Sacred Person and Government, against the 



48 THE COLONIAL SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS [March, 

M"" Brenton & Capt. Short, whereof he was not before ad\'ised, several 
papers and afEda\ats Avere presented by M'' Benjamin Jackson on that 
occasion, and sworn unto by him.^ 

On November 17th, — 

The Lieut* Gov'' and the members of the Council then in Town waited 
upon his Ex<=y at his house & accompanied him to the Waterside, who 
embarqued, and that evening set saile onwards of his Voyage to England.^ 

Thu*s Phips's term of office lasted only two and a half years — from 
May 16, 1692, to November 17, 1694, as he did not return to Boston 
and died suddenly in London on February 18, 1695.^ 

Upon the departure of Phips, Lieutenant-Governor William 
Sioughton ^ became Acting Governor on December 4, 1694, on which 
day tlie following proceedings took place in Council: 

This being the first sitting of the Council since the Gov""'^ departure, 
the Lieu* Gov' proposed to have the opinion of the Council, whether it 
be necessary, that he be sworne to see to the observance of the Acts of « 
Trade relating to tlie Plantations as the Act of the 12**^ of King Charles 
the Second directs that all Governours of the Plantations be. 

The Council Advised it as necessary, whereupon the L* Gov'' was sworn 
to do his utmost to see to the observance thereof.^ 



late King James and all his Adherents. And in case His Majesty come to any 
violent or untimely Death (wliich GOD forbid) We do hereby further freely and 
unanimously oblige our selves, to unite associate and stand by each other in 
revenging the same upon His Enemies and their Adlierents, and in supporting and 
defending the Succession of the Crowm, according to an Act made in the first year 
of the Reign of King WILLIAM and Queen MARY, Intituled, An Act 
Declaring the Rights and Liberties of the Suhjectjfand settling the Succession of the 
Crown. (Cf. Pubhcations of this Society, x. 384-386, xiii. 119-126.) 

It will be observed that the oath iu the text has twenty-eight signatures attached 
— those of the three Crown officials and of twenty-five Councillors. There were, 
however, twenty-eight Councillors named in the Province Charter (p. 35, above). 
Simon Bradstreet, Thomas Hinckley, and Stephen Mason, the remaining three 
Coimciilors, do not appear to have qualified. 

^ Council Records, ii. 293. 

2 ii. 293. 

3 On INlay 5, 1695, Sewall wrote: "About 3 hours News comes to Town of the 
death of Sir William Phips, Feb. 18*^ at wliich people are generally sad" (Diary, 
i. 404). 

^ The names of Acting Governors are printed in itaUcs. 
s Council Records, ii. 294. 



1013] EARL OF BELLOMONT INAUGURATED GOVERNOR, 1699 49 

On October 20, 1698, — 

His Maj'y'^ Commission under the Great Seal of England appointing 
of sundry Gent: therein named, to administer unto the Governour or 
Commander in Chief of the Pro\'ince of the Massachusetts, the Oath ap- 
pointed by an Act of Parliament made in the seventh and eighth year 
of his present Maj'^'^ Reign, Entituled an Act for preventing Frauds and 
Regulating abuses in the Plantation Trade, to be taken by all Governours 
or Commanders in Chief of any Enghsh Colonies or Plantations, and 
the forme of the oath in s^ Commission contained were read, and the 
said oath accordingly administred unto the Hon''^^ ^Yilliam Stoughton 
Esq""® Lieut* Gov"", and the present Commander in Chief of the said 
Pro\'ince of the Massachusetts Bay, at the Council Board, before Peter 
Sergeant, Ehsha Hutchinson, John Phillips, Nathaniel Byfield, Benjamin 
Bullivant and Lawrence Hammond Esq'^ six of the Commissioners 
therein named. ^ 

Stoughton was Acting Governor from December 4, 1694, to May 
26, 1699. 

The Earl of Bellomont was commissioned Governor by William 
III on June 18, 1697; but did not take office until May 26, 1699,- on 
which day — 

His Excellency the Earle of Bellomont arriving this day at Boston, 
his jMajesty's Royal Commission, constituting and appointing him Cap- 
tain General and Governour in Chief of this his Majesty's Proxince of 
the Massachusetts Bay, was read and pubhshed. 

And his Excellency tooke the Oaths appointed, by Act of Parliament 
made in the first yeare of the reign of his M*^ and the late Queen Mary, 
to be taken instead of the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy, and made, 
repeated and subscribed the Declaration in said Act mentioned, and also 
tooke an Oath for the due and faithfull performance of his duty in the 



1 Council Records, ii. 561. 

^ Bellomont arrived in New York on April 2, 1698. In a letter dated August 8 
he said: "In my letter of the eighth of January last I gave your Lordships an ac- 
count of my arrival at Barbadoes. On the ninth of March I left that Island, and 
on the second of April I landed at the City of New York, and entered on the 
Govern*" (New Y'ork Colonial Documents, iv. 306). In a letter dated " New- 
Yorke the 4*** of ApriU 1698," Benjamin Jackson wrote: "His Excellency the 
Earle of Bellamont, being arrived from Barbadoes, came on shoar at this place, 
and was Swome on Saturday Last" (Massachusetts Archives, cvi. 421). Cf. 
Sewall, Diary, i. 476. 



50 THE COLONIAL SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS [March, 

Office and place of Governour of the s*^ Province; before the Hon^'^ 
WiUiam Stoughton Esq'' L* Gov*. 

• And then tooke the oath appointed by an Act of Parliament made in 
in the seventh and eighth year of his present Maj*^''^ reign entituled: 
An Act for preventing frauds and regulating abuses in the Plantation 
Trade, to be taken by all Governours or Commanders in Chief of any 
English Colonies or Plantations, Before Tho^ Danforth, James Russell, 
Elisha Cooke, Jonathan Corwin, Peter Sergeant and Lawrence Ham- 
mond Esq''^ six of the Commissioners appointed to administer the same 
by his Maj*^'^ Commission under the Great Seal of England. 

His Excellency also subscribed the Association lately Established by 
Act of Parliament.^ 

On July 16, 1700, "His Excellency acquainted the Council of his 
purpose to embarque to morrow for his Government of the Prov''^ of 
New York;" and on July 17th, "His Excellency embarqued upon his 
Maj^y'^ Ship the Arundel and set saile therein towards his Govern- 
ment of the Province of New York." ^ 

Upon the departure of Bellomont, who never returned and died 
suddenly in New York on March 5, 1701,^ the government again 
devolved upon Lieutenant-Governor Stoughton,'^ who remained Act- 
ing Governor until his death on July 7, 1701.^ 

By the death of Stoughton, the government devolved, for the first 
time, upon the Council. The following proceedings took place in 
Council on July 10, 1701 : 

The Hon^ie WilHam Stoughton Esq''^ his Maj*'''' Lieut* Governour 
& Commander in Chief of this Province being lately deceased, and there 
being no person within this Province Commissionated by his Maj*^ to 
be Governour within the same. 

Resolved and Ordered. That a Proclamation be forthwith emitted 



1 Council Records, iii. 20-21. 

2 iii. 137. 

3 On March 15, 1701, Sewall wrote: "The Town is fiU'd with the News of my 
Ld Bellomont's death, last Wednesday was senight" (Diary, ii. 33). 

* There was no meeting of the Council between July 17 and July 22, 1700, and 
on neither day did Stoughton take any new oaths — no doubt for the reason that, 
as he had received no new Commission, those which he had previously taken were 
regarded as sufficient. 

5 On July 7, 1701, Sewall wrote: "About the time got thither the L* Gov'' died" 
(Diary, ii. 38). 



1913] GOVERNIVIENT DEVOL^^S UPON THE COUNCIL, 1701 51 

for the continuance of all Military Commission Officers until further 
Order. 

And a Proclamation being accordingly drawn up was signed by the 
Members present at the Board and published.^ 

A Letter to the Right Hon^'^ M' Secretary Vernon to give notice of 
the death of the llon^^^ William Stoughton Esq'** his Maj'^'^ Lieut* 
Gov'' of this Province; and another letter of like import to the Right 
Hon^'^ the Lords Commiss''^ of the Council for Trade and Plantations; 
being drawn up, were agreed to, and signed by all the members of the 
Council present at the Board.^ 

And on July 11th, — 

For the more easy and ready dispatch of the affairs of the Govern- 
ment. 

Resolved. That there be a Council held at the Council Chamber in 
Boston upon every Wednesday in each week weekly, to meet at ten a 
clock in the morning, and that all the members of the Council now absent 
be notified of the said stated time for the Councils sitting, that so they 
may afford their presence there for his Maj'^ ^ service accordingly with- 
out expecting further notice.' 

That the Council felt uneasy in its assumption of power is 
sufficiently shown by a letter it wrote to Secretary Vernon on July 
10th, and by an address sent to King William by the Council and 
House on August 7th. The letter is in part as foUows: 

R^ Hoxo'"'^ 

We lay hold of this first Conveyance to transmit to your Honour the 
sorrowful tidings of the death of the Hono'"® William Stoughton Esq"" 
his Ma*''^^ L* Governo'' and Commander in Chief of this Province, who 
departed this Life on the Seventh instant in the Evening. . . . whereby 
the Affaires thereof [i. e. of the government] are embarrassed and cannot 
be managed without greater difficulty. . . . And in the meanwhile we 
shall Endeavour to observe his Ma'''^^ Commands and Directions in his 
Royal Charter for Administring of the Government.^ 

The address of August 7th, in which some of the language employed 
in the letter of July 10th is practically repeated, is in part as follows: 



1 The proclamation was not entered in the Council Records or in the Court 
Records, and, if printed, apparently no copy has survived. 

2 Coimcil Records, iii. 216-217. 

* iii. 217-218. * Massachusetts Archives, U. 132. 



52 THE COLONIAL SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS [Makch, 

To the Kings most Excellent Majesty, 
The humble Address of the Council and Representatives 
of your Maj"*^^ Pro\ance of the Massachusetts Bay in New- 
England in General Court assembled. 
Most Gracious & Dread Soveraign. 

We crave leave in all humility to express the deep sorrow whercAvith 
we are very sensibly affected under the awful dispensation of Divine 
Soveraignty towards us. First in the death of the truely Noble Earl of 
Bellomont your Ma*'*^^ late Captain General and Governour in Chief of 
this yo"" Province and soon after in the death of the Hon^^® William 
Stoughton Esq"" your Maj"®^ late L* Governour and Commander in 
Chief of the same: Deploring our great unhappiness in being deprived 
of the conduct of two such Worthy persons — more especially at a time 
when the present conjuncture makes us stand in the greatest need of all 
that wisdom skill and prudence for directing the Affairs of the Govern- 
ment which we had large experience of in them. 

Our Trust under God is nextly on your Ma*^® Grace towards us; Hope- 
ing That the same Royal Goodness which inclined yo"" sacred Majesty 
to be favourable to your good subjects here in the appointing of persons 
so worthy and desirable to the chief places of Government over us will 
still dispose your Majesty to have the like Princely care of and Regard 
to us.^ 

The government was administered by the Council from July 10, 
1701, until the arrival of Governor Dudley on June 11, 1702.^ 



^ Massachusetts Archives, xx. 59. 

2 William III died March 8, 1702. On May 28 " the London Gazette and several 
other Prints, Papers and letters," brought by Capt. Thomas Burrington, 
reached Boston confirming "the sorrowful and awful tidings . . . which had 
been more uncertainly reported several days since from divers parts beyond 
sea," and it was "Ordered therefore. That the several persons newly chosen 
Councellors or Assistants for this Province do take the oath of Allegiance to her 
Said Maj*^ Queen Anne" and that Anne be proclaimed on the following day 
(Council Records, iii. 311, 313, 315). This extract i? from the London Gazette 
of July 23: 

Boston in New-England, June 8. 

ON the 28th of May last we received Advice of the Death of His late Majesty, 
and of Her present I'.Iajesty's happy Succession to the Throne: The Council 
and the General Assembly were then sitting, and the Members of the Council im- 
mediately took the Oath of Allegiance to Her Majesty. The next day the Council, 
attended by the Representatives in the General xlssembly, the Ministers, Justices 
of the Peace, Gentlemen, Merchants, and other Inhabitants, Proclaimed Her 



1913] JOSEPH DUDLEY INAUGURATED GOVERNOR, 1702 53 

Joseph Dudley was commissioned Governor by William III on 
February 13, 1702;^ but this Commission becoming void on the death 
of the King on JMarch Sth following, he was again commissioned by 
Anne on April 1, 1702. He reached Boston June 11th, on which day 
the following proceedings took place in Council: 



Majesty, the Troop of Guards and the Militia being in Arms, who, when the Proc- 
lamation was ended, fired three VoUej^s, which were followed with Huzza's, and 
loud Acclamations of God save Queen Anne, and the Cannon of the Castle and Forts, 
and of Her Majesty's Ship the Gosport, and the Merchants Ships then in our Port, 
was discharged. In the evening the Company was entertained at the Town-House, 
and other Places, and all other Demonstrations of Joy were given suitable to the 
Occasion. The 31st, the Representatives took the Oath of Allegiance. The 4th 
Instant, the Members of the Council and other Gentlemen of the Town went into 
Mourning for the Death of His late Majesty. The Bells were tolled from 8 till 10 
in the morning, and from 2 till 4 in the afternoon; Funeral Sermons were preached 
in all the Churches, and the Guns of the Castle and Forts, and of the Ships in our 
Port, were all discharged (p. 1/1). * 

The above passages prove that certain news of the death of WiUiam reached 
Boston May 28, and that Anne was proclaimed on May 29. In Sewall's 
Diary, under date of May 28, is a long entry which reads in part as follows: 
" Burrington from New-found-Land brings Prints of the King's death March, 
8. at 8 m. . . . Then we resolv'd to proclaim her Majesty here: Which 
was done accordingly below the Town-house. . . . Proclamation was made 
between 3 and 4. At 5 p.m. Madam BeUingham dies " (ii. 56-57). Most 
of this entry must have been written on May 29; and an examination of the 
original Diary shows that in the margin, opposite the words " At 5 p.m.," 
Sewall wrote " May 29," which date is omitted in the printed Diary. Of. 
p. 63 note 2, below. 

1 Dudley's Commission had been approved as early as June 28, 1701 (Acts of 
the Privy Coimcil, Colonial, ii. 799) ; and on December 11, 1701, Constantine Phipps 
wrote to the Massachusetts Council and Assembly that "pursuant to yo"" direccons 
I was to wait on Colt Dudley who hath his Ma*'^® warr* to be y'" Governor" (Mas- 
sachusetts Archives, U. 137). 

An Exemplification of Burges's Commission of March 17, 1715, is in the Ubrary 
of the Massachusetts Historical Society; and in Vol. ii of this Society's Publica- 
tions it is stated that this Exemplification "is the only document of the sort 
(among the Commissions printed in this volume) that is now knowTi to be extant" 
(p. 100 note 1). Since writing that note, I have ascertained that the originals 
of two other Commissions are in the Harvard College Library, both of which 
eluded my previous search because neither is entered in the card catalogue 
under " Manuscripts in this Library." One is Dudley's Commission as Yice- 
Admiral of February 26, 1701, which is written on a single piece of parchment 
and signed "Orlando Gee Reg"^." The seal which formerly appended is now 
missing. It was given to the College Library in 1854 by WiUiam Johnston, 
who graduated in that year. The other is Shutc's Commission as Governor of 
June 15, 1716: see p. 63 note 1, below. 



54 THE COLONIAL SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS [March, 

The Gentlemen of the Council receiving Intelligence this morning 
by an Express from Marblehead of his Excell'''*'^ arrival there yester 
evening in his Maj*^'^ Ship the Centurion. And the said Ship being now 
in sight in her way from thence towards this place; Samuel Sewall, El°* 
Hutchinson & Nath' Byfield Esq''^ with the Secretary were desired and 
directed forthwith to repair on board her, In the name of the Council 
to congratulate his Escell^^^ happy arrival, & to wait upon him to 
Town — And the said Gentlemen accordingly attended that service. 

The said Ship anchoring about noon in Nantasket Road, his Excell^^ 
and the Hon''''' the Lieut* Gov' soon after left her, being saluted at their 
coming off with the discharge of several Canon on board said Ship, and 
in their passage up to Town by her Maj'^'^ Castle, were again saluted 
from thence by the discharge of the Canon there, as also by her Maj*^'^ 
Ship and Merchant Ships in the Port as they passed by them, and by 
the Forts in the Town. 

Upon the landing of his Excellency & the Lieut* Gov'' they were re- 
ceived and attended by her Maj*^'^ Council, the Representatives, Min- 
isters, Justices and other Gentlemen, with the Troop of Guards and 
Regiment of Militia in Armes, from the water side to the Council Cham- 
ber; from whence his Excellency, the Council and Representatives re- 
moved into the Court Chamber, and being there seated in their places 
the doors set open and the Gent" and other the Company admitted in. 
Proclamation was made to command silence, and her Maj*^'^ Royal 
Commission or Letters Patent, Dated at Westminster the first day of 
April, in the first year of her Maj*^'^ reign, constituting his Excellency 
Joseph Dudley Esq""^ to be her Majesty's Capf* General and Governour 
in Chief in and over her Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New 
England, as also Captain General and Commander in Chief of the Militia 
& of all the Forces by Sea and Land within the Colonys of Rhode Island 
and Providence Plantation and the Narraganset Countrey or Kings 
Province and of all Forts and places of strength within the same, was 
read and published. 

Then his Excell^^ tooke the oaths appointed by Act of Parliament 
passed in the first year of the Reign of King William and Queen Mary to 
be taken instead of the oaths of allegiance & Supremacy, unto her present 
Maj*^ Queen Anne, and repeated & subscribed the Declaration appointed 
by the same Act. Also tooke an oath for the due & faithful performance 
of his duty in the Office and place of Gov^'of the s^ Province, and the oath 
by an Act of Parliament made in the seventh and eighth year of the 
Reign of King William the Third Intituled An act for preventing Frauds 
and regulating abuses in the Plantation Trade, appointed to be taken 



1913] CONTROVERSY BETWEEN GOV. DUDLEY AND COUNCIL, 1715 55 

by all Governours or Commanders in Chief of any English Colony or 
Plantations. 

His Excell'^^^ Commission * of Vice Admiral, granted by the Right 
Hon"'® Thomas Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery, Lord high Admiral 
of England and Ireland, under the great Seal of the Hight Court of 
Admiralty of England bearing date the twenty sixth day of February 
1701. was also shewn forth and published. . . . 

His Excellency further proposed, that her Majesty's Letters Patent 
to himselfe as Governour, and his Commiss" for vice Admiral and the 
Hon*^'® the Lieut* Gov''^ Commission might be made of Record. 

Which the Council advised accordingly.^ 

Early in 1715 a controversy took place between Governor Dudley 
and the Council as to who should administer the government.^ 
When Anne ascended the throne in 1702, a commission became void 
upon the demise of the CrowTi. In 1705 the British Parliament passed 
" An Act for the better Security of her jNIajesty 's Person and Govern- 
ment, and of the Succession to the Crown of England in the Protestant 
Line" (4 Anne, Chapter VIII). This provided — 

VIII. . . . nor shall any Office, Place or Imployment, civil or mili- 
tary, within the Kingdoms of England or Ireland, Dominion of Wales, 
Town of Berwick upon Tweed, Isles of Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, and 
Sark, or any of her Majesty's Plantations, become void, by Reason of 
the Demise or Death of her present Majesty, her Heirs or Successors, 
Queens or Kings of this Realm ; but . . . every other Person and Persons 
in any of the Offices, Places and Imployments aforesaid, shall continue in 
their respective Offices, Places and Imployments, for the Space of six 
Months next after such Death or Demise, unless sooner removed and 
discharged by the next in Succession, as aforesaid.^ 

In 1707 another Act (6 Anne, Chapter VII) of a like tenor was 
passed.^ Anne died August 1, 1714; the news of her death reached 



1 See p. 53 note 1, above. « Council Records, iii. 322-324, 325. 

' For an exhaustive treatment of this controversy, see our associate Mr. 
Worthington C. Ford's "The Governor and Council of the Province of Massachu- 
setts Bay, August, 1714 — March, 1715" (2 Proceedings Massachusetts Histori- 
cal Society, xv. 327-362). See also Mr. Ford's Preface to his reprint (1902) of the 
Journals of the House of Representatives, 1715. 

* Statutes at Large (1735), iv. 11-12. 

* Statutes at Large, iv. 110. In some editions of the Statutes, this Act is 
6 Anne, Chapter XLI. 



56 THE COLONIAL SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS [March, 

Boston September 15; ^ and George I was proclaimed in Boston 
September 22? On November 22 George I issued "A Proclamation 
Declaring His Majesties Pleasure for Continuing the Officers in His 
Majesties Plantations, till his Majesties Pleasure shall be further 
Declared;" ^ but this proclamation did not reach Boston until March 
19, 1715.^ Meanwhile, however, the six months specified in the Act 



^ Boston News Letter, September 20, p. 2/2. The London Gazette of August 3, 
which contained an account of the death of Anne, reached Boston September 17, 
and was communicated to the Council by Dudley the same day (Council Records, 
vi. 251). (A copy of that issue is in a file of the Boston Nev\'s Letter owned by the 
Boston Athenaeimi, between the issues of September 20 and 27.) 

2 Boston News Letter, September 27, p. 2/2; printed by Mr. Ford in 2 Proceed- 
ings Massachusetts Historical Society, xv. 330-332). The following account is 
taken from the Council Records : 

According to the Appointment made upon Friday last the 17. Currant The 
High & Mighty Prince George Elector of Bnmswick Lunenburgh was solemnly 
proclaimed King of Great Britain France & Ireland Defender of the Faith &'* with 
loud acclamations & the utmost demonstrations of Joy His Excellency the Gover- 
nour the Lieut* Gov^ and Council being in the Balcony of the Council Chamber 
which was hung with Scarlet Cloath The Regiment of the Town & another Regi- 
ment of Foot being drawn up under annes on the Parade before the Town House 
with the Troop of Guards and another Troop of Horse many of the Representatives 
of the General Assembly, Justices of the Peace, Ministers Gentlemen & Merchants 
(besides a very great concourse of People) in token of their JoyfuU Subjection & 
Allegiance to His Majesty Iinediately after ending the Proclamation the two troops 
& the regiments of Foot discharged three volleys and on a signal given the Cannon 
at His Matys Castle WiUia,m at the Touti Batteries & on board the ships & vessells 
in the Harbour -mere also discharged, & after a Pubhc Dinner the Govemour & 
Coimcil with a nmnber of Gentlemen & Officers returned in the evening to the Coun- 
cil Chamber & dranlc a health to His Majestys the Prince all the Royal Family & 
the Regency (fe"^ The Town House & particular Houses in several principal streets 
being finely illuminated. 

His Excellency took the Oaths ajipointed by Act of Parliament, to be taken in- 
stead of the Oaths of Allegiance & Supremacy, repeated & subscribed the Declara- 
tion & took the Oath of Abjuration being administred by the Hon''^® Wait Winthrop 
in presence of the Lieut* Govemour after which His Excellency administred the 
same oaths Declaration & Abjxiration to lus Honoiu" the Lieut* Govemour & the 
other Twenty CounceUours present at the Board (vi. 256-257). 

3 Printed in British Royal Proclamations relating to America, 1603-1783 
(Transactions and Collections of the American Antiquarian Society, 1911, xii. 
174-175), and in the Boston News Letter of March 28, 1715, p. 1/1. 

* "On the 19th Currant by the Post from New York His Excellency the Gover- 
nour receiv'd His Majesty's Proclamation for the Continuation of Officers &c. in 
the Plantations" (Boston News Letter, March 28, 1715, p. 2/2). 



1913] CONTROVERSY BETWEEN GOV. DUDLEY AND COUNCIL, 1715 57 

of G Anne Chapter VII had expired on February 1, 1715. The fol- 
lowing proceedings took place in Council on February 3 : 

Whereas upon the first of this instant, the following message was 
sent to His Excellency Joseph Dudley Esq"' by Samuel Sewall Joseph 
Lynde Addington Davenport & Thomas Hutchinson Esq" of His 
Majestys Council, from the Members of the Council then present: 
which were twelve in number being so many as could be at that time 
assembled the s'' message being in these words. That is to say. 

]May it please your Excell"^ 

Whereas the six months given by the Parliament of Great Britain 
for continu^ persons in their ci\'il & military offices do expire this day; 
these are humbly to inquire whither your Excell^^ has received orders 
from our Sovereign Lord King George enabling you to sustain the place 
of Govern'' of this Pro\'ince longer 

To which his Excellency was pleased to answer, I have received no 
orders 

Which Message with the answer being now communicated to the 
Council, & debated & consider'^ the Question was then put. Whither 
the Government be devolved on His Majestys Council, according to 
the Powers granted in the Charter 

Which was voted in the affirmative 

Whereupon Elisha Hutchinson E°* Hutchinson Penn Townsend & 
Isaac Winslow Esq""^ were imediately sent to wait upon His Excellency 
& acquaint him therew'** 

The Council adjourned unto tomorrow at nine in the morning.^ 

On February 4 — 

Pursuant to a Vote pass'd yesterday That the Governm* is devolved 

on His ISIajestys Council according to the powers granted by the Charter 

A Proclamation was drawn up in the following words, That is to say. 

By the Honourable the Council of His Majestys Province of 
the Massachusetts Bay in New England 

A Proclamation 
WTiereas in the Royall Charter granted by King William & Queen 
Mary for incorporating their subjects of the Colonies enumerated in the 
s'^ Charter into one real ProAince of the name of the INIassachusetts Bay 
in New England, provision is made for the devolution of the Go^•crnm* 
upon the Council in these words, That is to say. And we do by these 

1 Council Records, vi. 308-309. 



58 THE COLONIAL SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS [March, 

presents for us our heirs & successors constitute and ordain that when & 
as often as the Gov"^ and Lieut* or Deputy Governour of our s'^ Province 
or Territory, for the time being shall happen to dye or be displaced by 
us, our heirs or successors or be absent from our s'^ Province & that there 
shall be no person within the s*^ Pro\dnce commissionated by us our heirs 
or successors to be Governour wuthin the same, Then & in every of the 
s'^ cases, the Council or Assistants of our s"* Province shall have full 
Power and Authority ; & we do hereby give & grant unto the said Council 
or Assistants of our s'^ Province for the time being or the major part of 
them, full power and authority to do & execute all and every such Acts 
Matters & things which the s'^ governour or Lieutenant or Deputy 
Governour of our s*^ Province or Territory for the time being might or 
could lawfully do or exercise if they or either of them were personally 
present until the return of the Governour or Lieut' or Deputy Governour 
so absent, or arrival or constitution of such other Governour or lieut* or 
deputy Governour as shall & may be appointed by us our heirs & succes- 
sors from time to time. 

And Whereas the six months from the demise of Her late Majesty 
Queen Anne limited by the Parliament of Great Britain, for continuing 
civil & military officers in their respective offices places & imployments, 
expired the first day of this instant February. And Whereas by reason 
that there is no person within the s*^ Province corhissionat^ by our Sov- 
eraign Lord King George, to be Governor within the same; the Govern- 
ment is now devolved upon the Council, & they are obliged to undertake 
the administration thereof in obedience to the constitution of the s*^ 
Charter, & for the welfare & safety of His Majestys subjects within 
this Province until His Majestys further pleasure be known. 

Pursuant therefore unto the power & authority to us granted as afore- 
said We have thought fit & necessary to issue & publish this Proclama- 
tion & We do in His Majestys name require all officers ci\'il & military 
within this Province, that have qualified themselves by taking the Oaths 
appointed in & by the aforesaid Act of Parliament, to attend the duty, 
& use & exercise the powers & authorities to their respective offices places 
& employments belonging 

Until further order. And all His Majestys loving subjects are required 
in His Matys behalfe to be aiding helping & assisting at the command- 
ment of the s*^ officers in the discharge of the duty of their respective 
places & employments, as they & every of them tender His Majest^^ 
displeasure and will answer their neglect at their peril 

Given at the Council Chamber in Boston the fourth day of 
February in the fh'st year of the reign of our Soveraign Lord 



1913] 



COUNCIL ASSmiES THE GOVERNIVIENT, 1715 



59 



George, by the grace of God of Great Britain France and 
Ireland King defender of the faith &"'* annoque Domini 
1714 



Elisha Hutchinson 
Samll Sewa^ 
Joseph Lynde 
E™ Hutchinson 
Penn Townsend 
John Appleton 
John Higginson 
Andrew Belcher 



Esq' 



\Y°> Tailer 
Edward Bromfield 
Sani^ Appleton 
Benj* Lynde 

John Clarke r Esq' 

A Davenport 
Isaac Winslow 
Tho^ Hutchinson 
Wait ^Yintllrop 
By order of tlie Council 
Isaac Addington Secry 

. God save the King * 

Wait Winthrop Esq' took the Oaths appointed by Act of Parliament 
to be taken instead of the Oaths of Allegiance & Supremacy, repeated 
& subscribed the Declaration, & took the oath of Abjuration & then ad- 
ministered the same to the rest of the Councellours present at the Board 
After which at the motion of the Secretary upon the question put, 
The Council declared their opinion that the Secretarys Commission re- 
mained in force, ha\'ing been so accepted during all the last reign & 
ordered him to countersign the Proclamaf* and the s'^ Proclamation was 
then published by beat of Drum sent to the Press & ordered to be dis- 
persed into the several parts 

An Oath being digested of the Tenour following was 

taken by all the Members present this day at the 

Board absent then only Andrew Belcher Esq' That 

is to say. 

"VMiereas for the present untill His Majestys pleasure be further known 

by the devolution of the Government according to the Royall Charter, 

full power & authority is granted to the Council of this His Majestys 

Province to do & execute all & every such Acts IMatters & things which 

the Governour of this Pro\'ince for the time being might or could lawfully 

do or execute, if he were personally present 

You swear that you will well and truly discharge that trust accordingly, 
to the utmost of your power 

So help you God ^ 

1 This proclamation was issued as a printed broadside and was reproduced in 
facsimile by Mr. Ford (2 Proceedings Massachusetts Historical Society, xv. 326- 
327). 2 Ck)uncil Records, vi. 30&-313. 



60 THE COLONIAL SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS [March, 

The King's proclamation of November 22, 1714, having, as already 
stated,^ reached Boston on March 19, 1715, on March 21 — 

His Excellency communicated to the Council a Proclamation by the 
King for continuing of all officers Civil & Military in being at the time 
of the demise of the late Queen, in their respective offices places & im- 
ployments till further order which was first read in the Council Chamber 
a great number of the principal Gentlemen of the Country being present 
and then His Excellency the Governour, the Lieutenant Governour & 
Council removing into the Balcony of the Council Chamber the same was 
again read there the Governours Guard & three other Troops of Horse 
of Suffolk & Middlesex & a great concourse of people attending immedi- 
ately after ending the Proclamation the People gave three Huzzas, the 
Troops discharged three volleys & the Cannon at His Majesty's Castle 
William, at the Town Batterie & on board His Matys Ships Pheenix 
were also discharged ^ 

The government, thus reassumed by Dudley, was retained by 
him until November 9, 1715, though not without a challenge from 
Lieutenant-Governor Tailer, as will presently be seen. 

Elizeus Burges was commissioned Governor by George I on 
March 17, 1715.^ The news of his appointment reached Boston 



^ See p. 56, above, 

2 Council Records, vi. 334. 

3 For a sketch of Burges, about whom little is known, see Publications of this 
Society, xiv. 360-372, 389 note 1. For the following information, received too 
late for insertion at the above reference, I am indebted to Mr. Horatio F. 
Brown of Venice. The dates of Burges's services as " Secretary Resident " 
are: First, date of credentials, May 8-9, 1719; arrival in Venice, October, 
1719; letter of recall, October 31, 1721; departure from Venice, March, 1722. 
Second, date of credentials, October 25, 1727; arrival in Venice, December 18, 
1728. Among the " Inscriptions to English Families in the Old Protestant 
Cemetery near San Niccolo del Lido, Venice," is the following (Miscellanea 
Genealogica et Heraldica, Second Series, 1S85, i. 347) : 

Elizaevs Bvrges 
A Georgio Primo et Secundo 

BRITANNIiE ReGIBVS 

APUD VeNETOS 

OBIIT XVIII KAL. DECEMBRIS 

MDCCXXXVI 

VixiT Annos LXIX. 
Arms: A chevron between three crescents. 



1913] ELIZEUS BURGES COMMISSIONED GOVERNOR, 1715 Gl 

April 21,^ On April 28 a new Commission was issued to Tailer as 
Lieutenant-Governor. On June 29 Burges wrote to the Council a 
letter in which he said : 

The K. has done me the Honor to make me his Governour of the Prov- 
inces of the Massachusets Bay, and N-Hampshire in N. England, and I 
think I canot find a fitter opportunity than this to acquaint 3^ou with 
His Maj's Goodness to me. ... I propose to leave this place the latter 
end of the next Moneth, and hope to be with you before the end of Sep- 
tember. While I continue here, I will do all I can for your Service; and 
when I have the Honor to see you at Boston, I will give you all the As- 
surances you your selves can desire, that I have nothing so much at 
heart, as the Good of Jhe people, and the Glory of GOD.^ 

On September 6 Burges TVTote a second letter, saying: 

I had the Honor to write to you by IVIr. Secretary Woodward, and told 
you then that I had hopes of seeing you at Boston before the end of this 
Moneth; but since my Affairs in this Country are like to keep me here 
most part of the Winter, and I am not to be so happy so soon as I ex- 
pected, It is fit I should let you know it; and beg you will send me your 
Commands, that I may not be altogether useless to you, though I'm 
from you; but may do you all the Service I can here, as an Earnest of 
what I intend when I have the honor to be among you. I have sent you 
over an Exemplification of my Commission, by which you will see that 
Col. Dudley's Commission is vacated, and that the Government does 
necessarily devolve upon Colonel Tailer during my absence. Thus I 
understand it; but leave it to your greater Wisdom to determin that mat- 
ter, as you shall see fitting, and tliink most for His Majesties Honor, and 
the Interest of your Country.^ 

On September 22 Samuel Woodward, the new Secretary, reached 
Boston,"* bringing with him Burges's letter of June 29, his own Com- 
mission as Secretary, and the Commission of Tailer as Lieutenant- 
Governor. On September 24 — 

LTpon reading His Majestys Coinission to Lieut* Governour Tailer 
dated the 28*i» day of April 1715 put to the Question, Whither the Coun 



^ Sewall's Diary, iii. 46. 

» Sewall's Letter-Book, ii. 48^9. Cf. the next note. 

* Sewall's Letter-Book, ii. 49-50. The originals of these two letters have not 
been preserved, but Sewall copied them on November 25, 1715. 

* See p. 100, below. 



62 THE COLONIAL SOCIETY OF jVIASSACHUSETTS [March, 

cil are of opinion that the Governm* of this Province be thereby devolved 
upon him, the Commission and Instructions given by His Majesty to 
His Excellency Col° Burges being not here nor any copy thereof yet 
arrived in this Pro\ance by which the Government is to be administered 
Pass'd in the Negative unanimously.^ 

On November 9 Nathaniel Byfield, who had been in England, 
reached Boston,- bringing vnth. him the Exemplification of Burges's 
Commission which Burges, in his letter of September 6, said had been 
sent. Thereupon, the same day, — 

An ExempHfication ^ of His Majestys most gracious Letters Patents 
constituting & appointing Elizeus Burges Esq"" Capf^ General & Gover- 
nour in chief in & over His Majestys Province of the Massachusetts Bay 
in New England being presented was ordered to be forthwith read & 
published which was done accordingly 

And the Hon*"^ WilHam Tailer Esq"" his Commission as Lieut* Gov' 
was again read & publish'd and he took the oath referring to the Colonies 
and Plantations as directed by Act of Parliament he having taken all 
the other oaths at the former publication of his Commission & the 
Councellors present were all duly sworn & 

Advised & consented That a Proclamaf^ for continuing all officers 
civil & military in their respective offices till further order should be 
forthw*^ printed & published which was signed in Council accordingly ."^ 

Thus the purpose of sending over the Exemplification of Burges's 
Commission was accomplished, and Dudley's long term of office came 
to an end. 

Lieutenant-Governor Tailer was acting Governor from November 
9, 1715, to October 5, 1716. 

In spite of repeated rumors^ of his being about to sail, Colonel 
Burges resigned his Commission and never came to this country. 



1 Council Records, vi. 379-380. 

2 Sewall's Diary, iii. 65; Boston News Letter, November 14, p. 2/2. 

^ This Exemplification is in the library of the Massachusetts Historical Society: 
see PubUcations of this Society, ii. 100 note 1. Cf. p. 53 note 1, above. 

^ CouncU Records, vi. 389-390. 

5 As late as May 31, 1716, in a speech to the House, Lieutenant-Governor Tailer 
said he beUeved that Burges "would before this Time have happily Arrived among 
us, and I am well assured he may be daily expected" (House Journal, p. 3). The 
news of Shute's appointment, which was made in April, reached Boston June 5 



1913] S.^JMUEL SHUTE COIVEVIISSIONED GOVERNOR, 1716 G3 

Samuel Shute was commissioned Governor by George I on June 
15, 171G.^ He reached Boston Harbor October 4,^ and was sworn 

(Sewall's Diary, iii. 85). The following notice appeared in the Boston News Letter 
of June 11: 

By Letters from London of April 12th we are informed that His Excellency Col. 
Elizeus B urges Esq; Governoiir of this Province had resign'd his Office. 

And by Letters and Prints we are also inform'd that His Majesty has been pleased 
to appoint His Excellency Col. Samuel Shute, Esq; a very worthy Gentleman, and 
Brother to Mr. Barringlon Shute Esq; Member of ParUament for Berwick, to be 
Govemour of New-England (p. 2/1). 

The following letter written by J. Dummer to J. White, but signed by Dummer 
and Belcher, is copied from the original in the Massachusetts Historical Society 
(161.J.16): 

Dear S^ 

1 am now Sitting on one Side of his ExcelP^ Col" Shute, & M' Belcher on the 
Other side with all the Principal Merch*^ & Traders to New England at the Table. 
We have din'd, & are now drinking a Sober glass to the Prosperity of New England, 
& the Worthy Gentlemen there, & you may be Sure you can't be forgot among them, 
especially when M"" Belcher & I are present. Every Merchant is pleas'd with your 
New Govemour, & you'l certainly be the happyest people in the World under his 
Easy Administration I cant enlarge for the reason above. I am Y' Very hiunble 

®^^ Jer DmwMER 

London J°^' Belchee 

30*'' Apr: 1716 

* The original of Shute's Commission of June 15, 1716, is in the Harvard 
College Library (Cab.E.Dr.l). It is written on two sheets of parchment and 
has the seal appended, though this is now broken and a part missing, and is 
enclosed in a wooden box covered with stamped leather. It came to the 
College Library in 1862 as a bequest from Gen. WiUiam H. Sumner of the 
Class of 1799. A portion is reproduced in facsimile in the Memorial History 
of Boston, ii. 50. Cf. p. 53 note 1, above. 

On the back of the Commission is the following entry: 

p . f tVi "^ Entred in the Secretary's 

5th 
£ Jos: Marion Dep*^ Sec'' 

This entry confirms a statement made by the present writer that there was 
formerly a volume of Crown Commissions which was burned in 1747 (Publica- 
tions of this Society, vol. ii. p. xviii and note 4; xiv. 397-398 note 1). See 
also p. 55, above, and pp. 70, 81 note 1, 101, below. 

2 Under date of " Octob'' 3," 1716, Sewall wrote: "... while they were 
here, just about Sunset, we hear a Gun which proves a Signal of the Gover- 
nour's being come" (Diary, iii. 105). A careful examination of the entry 
under this date shows that it must have been written on " lecture-day " — that 
is, on Thursday, October 4. As Sewall is so often reUed on for exact dates, 



-, , ,, T^ I Ofiice in Boston October 

Massachusetts Bay ^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ 

in New England J 



64 THE COLONIAL SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS [March, 

October 5. As the Council Records from September 11, 171 G, to 
September 5, 1717, both included, are not extant,^ the following 
account of the proceedings is taken from the Boston News Letter 
of October 8, 1716: 

Boston, /^N Thursday last in the Evening (to the very great Joy 

\-/ and Satisfaction of all His Majesty's Good Subjects 

here) Arrived His Excellency SAMUEL SHUTE Esq; Captain 

I have in several cases pointed out errors, some due (as in this case) to his own 
carelessness, some due to the fact that entries were actually written later than 
the dates assigned, and some due (as on p. 53 note, above) to the careless- 
ness of his editors. See Publications of this Society, xiv. 361 note 2, for an 
instance where Sewall wrote " Feb. 13," 1716, when he meant to write 
" April 13." 

^ The original Council Records from 1692 to 1747 were practically all destroyed 
in the fire wlaich devastated the Boston Town House on December 9, 1747 (see 
Pubhcations of this Society, vol. ii. p. xix note 1), and the Records for those years 
now at the State House are copies obtained from London. But even in London 
there are no copies of the Records for the period specified in the^text — September 
11, 1716, to September 5, 1717; Miss Drucker informing me that "32 pages are 
missing in the volume which should contain them at that date." A copy of the 
following letter is in the Council Records (xi. 765-766) : 

c Boston November 1. 1748. 

Sir 

By William Shirley Jun'' Esquire, who embarks for Great Britain on board one 
of the Mast ships now bound home, I send you Copies of the Proceedings of the 
General Court, from the beginning of March 1746, to the end of the Session begun 
and held May 25. 1748; with the Acts pass'd in those Sessions, certified under the 
Seal of the Province; as also Copies of the Minutes of Council from December 1747 
to the end of August 1748. The Minutes of the Assembly, and the Laws, are a 
continuation of what were sent you home by his Maj*^ ^ Sliip the Mermaid in the 
Summer 1747, without any interruption, the General Court Book for that time being 
accidentally saved out of the Fire when the Court House was burnt; but the Council 
Book being then destroyed, the Minutes of Council, now sent you, begin after the 
time of that fire. You will please to lay these Papers before the Lords Commissioners 
as usual. I shall acknowledge it as a great favour if you wUl please to send me one 
line to let me know of your receiving these Papers when they come to your hands. 

I am, with due respect 
Sir 
^ Your very himable Servant 
(Superscribed) (signed) Josiah Willard. 

On His Majestys Service. 
To Thomas Hill Esq"" 
Secretary to the Right Hon*"^ 
The Lords Commissioners for Trade 

and Plantations. • 

Whitehall. 



1913] SAMUEL SHUTE INAUGURATED GOVERNOR, 1716 G5 

General and Governour in Chief, in and over His Majesties Pro\'inces 
of the Massachusetts-Bay and New-Hampshire in New-England, &c. on 
Board the Lusitania, and was first met and welcomed by the Honourable 
William Dummer, Esq; with other Gentlemen in Company, and quickly 
afterwards waited on by the Representatives of the Town of Boston, 
and several other Gentlemen: but it being late at Night, and the Ship at 
some distance from the Town, His Excellency was pleas'd to defer his 
Landing till the next Morning; proving a pleasant fair Day, when His 
Excellency was early attended by a Committee of the General Assembly, 
consisting of several Members of His Majesties Council, and the House 
of Representatives, with several other Gentlemen & Officers. About 
Nine a Clock His Excellency in coming up to Town was first Saluted by 
His Majesties Castle William, and afterwards by His ISIajesty's Ship of 
War the Rose, the Batteries of the Town, the Ships and Vessels in the 
Harbour, by the Discharge of a great Number of Guns, and their Enseigns 
displayed. About Ten of the Clock His Excellency Landed at the End 
of the Pier or Wharff at King-Street, where the Hon. Col. William Tailer, 
Esq ; the late Lieutenant Governour, &c. with a Number of His ]\Iajesty's 
Council, Justices of the Peace, and other Gentlemen and Merchants, 
received His Excellenc}^, and attended him thro' a great Concourse of 
People, up to the End of King-Street, where His Excellency was received 
and Saluted by his own Troop of Guards, and after that by the Regi- 
ment of the Town, under their Arms, and at the Town-House Stairs the 
Honourable the late Governour Dudley, being attended by the President ^ 
of Harvard-Colledge in Cambridge, with the ISIinisters. of the Town of 
Boston, and the Neighbouring Towns, Congratulated His Excellency's 
safe Arrival, and accompanied him up to the Council-Chaml>er, where 
His Majesty's Royal Commission to His Excellency for the Government 
of this Province, (As also a Commission to the Honourable William 
Dummer Esq; for Lieut. Governour) was Published and Solemnized with 
great Acclamations of Joy, and the Regiments Discharge of Three 
Volleys. Upon this happy Occasion, there came in also a Troop of Horse, 
and Five Companies of Foot, belonging to the South Regiment of Suffolk, 
and a greater Number had attended, but that His Excellency was pleased 
to signify his Pleasure against it. Between One and Two a Clock His 
Excellency was Publickly Entertained at Dinner, in Company with His 
Majesty's Council, with the Speaker - and many of the House of Repre- 
sentatives, and a great Number of other Gentlemen, Officers, <£*c. The 
Joy and Satisfaction of His Majesty's good People of this Country was 
so much the greater upon this Occasion, because of some Fears we had 
^ John Leverett. ^ John Burrill. 



66 THE COLONIAL SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS [March, 

been under; a Ship being Arrived Ten Days ago from London, that came 
out Sixteen Days after His Excellency: Besides some Advice from the 
Eastward of Wrecks upon the Coast. Soon after the Publishing His 
Excellency's Commission, a Proclamation as usual, was Issued for the 
Continuation of all Officers both Civil and Military, till further Order. 
His Excellency was pleased to take his Lodgings at Mr. Dudley's till the 
Province House could be fitted for his Reception, which will be in a few 
Days (p. 2/1). 

Late in 1722 Shute determined to go to England. The following 
proceedings took place in the House on December 28: 

A Message by Samuel Sewall, Penn Townsend, and Addington Daven- 
port Esqrs; viz. His Honour the Lieut. Governour having by his Ex- 
cellency's direction acquainted the Board, That His Excellency the 
Governour is Embarked on board His Majesty's Ship Sea-Horse Capt. 
Diircll Commander at Nantaskct, and designs to return early in the Fall. 
And the Board thinking it a Matter of Importance, have sent to inform 
the Honourable House thereof.^ 

^ost i^critifettt. 

Ordered, That Mr. Remington, Mr. Fullam, and Mr. Dudley go up 
to the Board, and Desire of His Honour the Lieut Governour, that if 
he has any Advice from His Excellency, of his intended Voyage, he would 
be pleased to communicate it to the House. 

A Message by Mr. Secretary, His Honour the Lieut. Governour has 
ordered me to acquaint this Honourable House, That he has no farther 
Advice of His Excellency's intended Voyage, than that he is embarked 
on Board His Majesty's Ship Sea-Horse, and that he designs, if G O D 
please, to return early in the Fall.^ 

The House being Infomaed this Morning in a Message by Samuel 
Sewall, Penn Townsend and Addington Davenjyort, Esqrs; That His 
Honour the Lieut. Governour having by His Excellency's Direction 
acquainted the Board, that His Excellency the Governour is embarked 
on Board His Majesty's Ship Sea-Horse, Capt. Durell Commander at 
Nantashet, and designs to return early in the Fall. And the Board think- 
ing it a matter of Importance, sent to inform the Honourable House 
thereof. Which is a very great surprize, and gives this House just ground 
to suppose. That upon His Excellency's Arrival at the Court of Great- 
Britain, (if bound there) he may endeavour to Charge this House in 



^ House Journal, p. 54. ^ p. 55. 



1913] GOVERNOR SHUTE's SUDDEN DEPARTURE, 1723 G7 

attempting to encroach upon the Royal Prerogative, or coming into some 
things they had not a Right to, by their present happy Constitution. 
Therefore, 

Resolved, That Mr. Cooke, Mr. Dudley, Mr. Chandler, Mr. Clarke, 
and Mr. Wainwrigkt, be a Conmiittee forthwith to prepare and lay before 
this House, what they think proper in this critical Juncture for the House 
to do, in their Just and necessary Vindication at the Court at Home.^ 

The following notice appeared in the Boston Gazette of Decem- 
ber 31: 

His Excellency our Governour having been pleased to Communicate 
to the Honourable Lieutenant Governour, His Majesty's Leave of Ab- 
sence, and delivered over to him all His Majesty's Royal Instructions 
for the management of the Government agreeable to the Royal Charter, 
and wrote the Lieutenant Governour a Letter to be Communicated to 
His Majesty's Council; His Excellency imbark'd On Thursday last on 
board His Majesty's Ship Sea-horse at Nantascot in order to pass by 
way of the West Indies to Great Britain, but the Weather not inviting 
to Sail, the Owners of the Ship Ann, Capt. Finch Master (bound for 
Great Britain) got the said Ship ready with all possible dispatch, and 
ordering her yesterday from this Harbour to Nantascot, waited on His 
Excellency and prayed Him to take his passage on board her, which His 
Excellency kindly accepted, and Sails the first Wind, designing (by 
GOD's permission) to return to Us Early the next Fall (p. 2/2). ^ 



^ House Journal, p. 55. 

2 The following letter was printed in the New England Courant of January 14, 
1723 (p. 2): 

Praestat esse Prometheus quam Epimetheus. 
To the Author of the New-England Courant. 
SIR, 

Tile unprecedented and extraordinary Manner of Governour Shite's absent- 
ing himself from this Government, and embarking for England, has occa- 
sion'd much Discourse and various Sentiments, which we shall not now go about to 
recapitulate, but shall only mention what we conceive must be naturally concluded, 
viz. That any Governour departing from a Government vnth so much Privacy and Dis- 
pleasure, can't reasonably he supposed to promote the Interest of that Government, 
when he arrives at the British Court: And therefore we may venture to say, that in 
general it is the opinion of the Freeholders, &c. of this Province, That it is essentially 
necessarj' for the Good and Welfare of the People here, at thia critical Juncture, that 
two Gentlemen at least, Persons bom among us, of known Abilities and Address, 
be, as soon as possible, sent to the Court of Great Britain, altho' this Province should 
be at the Charge of liiring a small Vessel on purpose, (seeing Delays are dangerous,) 
there to vindicate the Proceedings of the Honourable House of Representatives from 



68 THE COLONIAL SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS [March, 

On the Departure of Governor Shute on January 1, 1723/ the 
government devolved upon Lieutenant-Governor Dummer; and on 
January 2 — * 

His Honour William Dummer Esq"" L* Gov"" having the Government 
devolved upon him by the Absence of His Excellency Samuel Shute 



time to time, since the Misunderstandings that have arisen betwixt that Honourable 
House and Governour Shute: W^ch being done we hopeit can't but be thought very 
expedient for one of those two Gentlemen to reside at the British Court, there to 
give their Attendance, in soUiciting and negotiating the Affairs of this Province: 
For sure it is, that no Man of Knowledge and Experience can believe, that an 
Agent appointed, who is a Resident in England, and was never in this Country, 
can be a suitable Person to apear at Court for it, since he must be ignorant of the 
Springs and Motives upon which the original Misunderstandings were grounded, 
as well as of the Laws, Customs, Trade, and Temper of the People, &c. Besides, 
who can imagine, that an utter Stranger, and a Person that has no Interest here, 
will so heartily lay forth himself to serve this Country, as one that is born here, 
and that has an Interest among us. There is some here that have seen (when in 
England) great Damage accrue to some Plantations, for want of their Agents 
knowing the true Interest of the Places they appeared for. We shall conclude 
this Letter with a Passage out of a learned Author, who has sometime since 
wrote concerning the Affairs of Barbadoes. Says he. No prudent Man can think, 
that a Gentleman, who is not bred up in the Business, and has no Interest in the 
Island, can befit to make an Agent, nor even a Merchant, who has many Commissions; 
for there is no kind of Affairs that makes a Man so busie, and keeps him in such a 
continual Hurry as Factorage. 'Tis without doubt proper, the Agent should fully 
understand the true Interest of Barbadoes ; that he should have full Leisure to carry 
on his Agency, be a Man of Sense arid Honour, arid one that needs not make use of a 
borrowed Pen, to set forth its Grievances, and petition for Redress. 

We are. Yours, &c. 

Quaere, Whether (pursuant to the Charter) the Ministers of tliis Province, 
ought now to pray for Samuel Shute Esq; as our immediate Governour, and at 
the same time pray for the Lieut. Governour as Commander in Chief? Or, ^^^lether 
their praying for his Success in his Voyage, if he designs to hurt the Province 
(as some suppose) be not in Effect to pray for our Destruction? 

Monday. Jan. 7, 1723. 

^ "On Tuesday Morning last the first Instant, His Excellency SAMUEL 
SHUTE, Esq; Our Governour, set sail in the Ship Ann, Capt. Finch Com- 
mander from Nantasket for Great Britain; as then also did His Majesty's Ship 
Sea-Horse Capt. Durrel Commander, for Barbadoes" (Boston News Letter, 
January 7, 1723, p. 2/1). 

The following notice had appeared in the Boston Gazette of October 15, 1722: 

MR. John Boydell Secretary to His Excellency the Governour designing for 
London by Capt. Lethred, Desires that if any Persons have ariy Demand on 
him {or His Excellency) they would forthwith call at his Office in His Excellency^ s 
House in order to be paid (p. 4/2). 



1913] WILLIAM DinvniER BECOMES ACTING GOVERNOR, 1723 G9 

Esq*" ^Yas Sworn to a faithfull discharge of his office of Lieu* Gov' & 
Command'' in Cheif of this his Majesties Province, and Hkewise took an 
Oath, that he would do the Utmost in his Power, That all & every the 
Clauses Matters & things. Contained, in an Act pass'd the Twelfth Year 
of King Charles the Second Entituled an Act, for the Encouraging & 
Increasing Shipping and Navigation, & in all other Acts since made & 
now in force, Relating to this Colony or Plantation, & more particularly 
in an Act made & pass'd in the Seventh & Eighth Year of King William 
the third, Entituled An Act for preventing Frauds and Regulating Abuses 
in the Plantation trade be punctually & Bona fide Observed according 
, to the true Intent & Meaning thereof.^ 

Lieutenant-Governor Dummer was Acting Governor from Jan- 
uary 2, 1723, to July 19, 172S; " for, in spite of frequent rumors ^ of 
his intended return, Shute never came back. 



^ Court Records, xi. 467. 

2 During Dummer's term of office as Acting Governor, the Explanatory 
Charter of 1725 was accepted: see Publications of this Socict}', xiv. 389-400. 

In 1727 the accession of George I was celebrated in Boston on August 1 
(New Enghmd Weekly Journal, August 7, p. 2/1). The news of his death, wliich 
occurred June 11, reached Boston August 14 (Council Records, viii. 579), and the 
Council ordered George II to be proclaimed August 16th. At ten o'clock on the 
morning of the 16th Lieutenant-Governor Dummer, being "confined to his House 
by a sickness," sent a draft of a proclamation to the Council, which approved it; 
it was then sent to Dummer, who signed it and returned it to the Council; and 
at 1 o'clock George II was proclaimed from the Town House. The Council 
Records then proceed to say: 

After the Proclamation was ended & the loud & joj'ful acclamations that suc- 
ceeded it. The Regiments & Troops fired three Volleys, and (upon a signal given) 
the Cannon at His Majesty's Castle W" at the To\\ti Battery & on Board the 
Ships & Vessels in the Harbour were discharged, and the Council Ministers, 
Representatives & other Gentlemen were entertained with a Public Dinner pro- 
vided tins Occasion. 

After Dinner the Members of His Maty's Council being returned to the Coun- 
cil Chamber, W" Tailcr, Nath' Byficld & Addington Davenport Esq" (Members 
of y® Council) waited on His Honour the Lieut* Govemour at his house to ad- 
minister to him the oaths of fidelity to His present Majesty King George the 
second. 

And in the presence of the s*^ Gentlemen His Honour the Lieut* Govemour 
took the Oath appoint*^ by Act of Parliam* to be taken instead of the Oaths of 
Allegiance & Supremacy, & repeated & subscribed the Test or Declaration in 
the said Act with the Oath of Abjuration (xviii. 5S2). 

* "On Monday last the 23d. arrived here Capt. John Ruggles from London, 
by whom we have Advice that His Excellency SAMUEL SHUTE Esq; Gover- 
nour of the Province of the Massachusetts-Bay, «fec. intends for his Government 



70 THE COLONIAL SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS [March, 

William Burnet was commissioned Governor by George II on 
March 7, 1728. He reached Boston July 19 and was sworn the same 
day: 

This Day his Excellency William Burnet Esq' arrived at Boston, 
. . , And His Excellency being come to the council Chamber the Doors 
were set open And Proclamation was made that all Persons keep silence 
whilst His Majesty's Commission is in reading. And then the Attorney 
General with an audible voice and ^ His Majestys Commission or Letters 
Patent, bearing date at Westminster the seventh day of March in the 
first year of His Majestys Reign constituting & appointing His Exc^ 
WilHam Burnet Esq"" Capf^ Gen^ & Governour in Cheif in and over His 
Majestys Province of y^ Massachusetts Bay, after which the Secretary 
in y'= presence of y^ Lieut. Governour administered to His Exceh'^^ the 
Oaths appointed to be taken instead of the Oaths of Allegiance & Su- 
premacy & he repeated & subscribed the Test or Declaration contained 
in the said Act, together with y® Oath of Abjuration as also an oath for 
the true and faithful discharge of his s^^ Ofiice of Captain General &c.2 

On August 12, 1728, — 

This Day His Majestys Commission bearing date the 14*'' day of 
March in the first year of His Majestys Reign, appointing His Excellency 
W™ Burnet Esq"" Vice Admiral of y*" Provinces of the Massachusetts Bay 
& New Hampshire & y^ Colony of Rhode Island was published in Council 
the Doors being opened. 

And the Secretary directed to record it.^ 

early in the Spring. In whom came the Reverend Dr. Timothy Cutler and the 
Reverend Mr. Johnson, as also John Boydell Esq; with his Family, Gillam 
Phillips Esq; and Mr. John Checkley" (Boston Gazette, September 20, 1723, 
p. 4/1). 

"London, Nov. 25. Samuel Shufe Esq; Governour of New England & New- 
Hampshire in America, is preparing to set out for that Government" (Boston 
News Letter, February 3, 1726, p. 2/2). 

In a letter to E. Quincy dated May 25, 1727, Jeremiah Dummer said: 

Col° Shute is expecting a Man of War to transport him to his Government, 
which [he] may probably now obtain, there being Pacification made between 
the Powers of Europe which will bring home our Fleets. It looks to me as if 
Our Assembly would hardly come into his demands, but whatever turn that takes, 
I depend upon your wisdom & moderation, & the influence You have in both 
Houses to keep things from coming to an extremity (Massachusetts Historical 
Society, 81. 1. 28). 

1 Error for "read." ^ Council Records, ix. 79-80. 

3 ix. 83. 



1913] GOVERNOR BURNET DIES, 1729 71 

Burnet was Governor from July 19, 1728, to his death on Septem- 
ber 7, 1729,^ when the government again devolved upon Lieutenant- 
Governor Diamner. On September 10 the following proceedings 
took place in Council: 

Ti;c Government of this Province being by the death of His Excel- 
lency \Yilliam Burnet Esq'' hite Governour deceas'^ devoh'ed upon the 
jjQj^bie William Dummer Esq'' Lieut* Governour, as Commander in 
Chief, His Honor did this day before His Majestys Council, take the 
Oaths appointed by Act of Parliament to be taken instead of the Oaths 
of Allegiance & Supremacy repeated and subscribed the Test or Declara- 
tion in the said Act contained together with the Oath of Abjuration & 
took an Oath for the faithful discharge of his office of Lieut' Governor 
& Commander in Chief of this Pro^^nce — His Honour likewise took an 
Oath that he would do the utmost in his power, that all and every the 
clauses matters & things contain'^ in an Act of Parliam* passed in the 
twelfth year of the Reign of King Charles the second, entituled, "An 
Act for the encouraging & encreasing of Shipping & Na\'igation & in all 
other Acts since made & now in force relating to this Colony or Planta- 
tion more particularly in an act made & passed in y*^ seventh and eighth 
years of the Reign of King William the third Entituled an Act for pre- 
venting of Frauds and regulating abuses in the Plantation Trade, be 
punctualling^ & Bona Fide observed according to the true intent & mean- 
ing thereof.^ 

Bummer remained Acting Governor from September 10, 1729, to 
June 11, 1730, when he was superseded by Lieutenant-Governor 
Tailer, who was sworn June 11, 1730: 

The Hon*"^ W"^ Tailer Esq'' having received His Majestys Commission 
bearing date at St. James's the fifteenth day of April 1730, appointing him 

^ The New England 'Weekly Journal of September 15 said: 

This Town was excedingly surpriz'd on Monday last with the sad News of 
the Death of His Excellency our Governour WILLIAM BURNET 
Esq; 

He had been verj' ill all the Week before, but on Fryday the sj-mptoms grew 
threatning; after which he verj^ little rccover'd any LTse of his LTndcrstanding. 

He oxpir'd about Eleven of the Clock the Lords-day Night; a teaching 
and monitory Instance to us of the Vanity of Humane Life and Greatness 
(p. 4/1). 

* Error for "punctually." 

' Council Records, ix. 165-166. 



72 THE COLONIAL SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS [March, 

Lieut* Governor of this His Majestys Province of the Massachusetts Bay 
in the room of the Hon^'^ W"^ Dummer Esq' Which being laid before 
the Members of His Majestys Council, they together with y^ Gentlemen 
that had been of the Council, His Majesty's Justices of the Peace, the 
officers of y^ Militia & other Officers & Gentlemen attended His Honour 
from the House of Col° Nathan' Byfield to the Council Chamber, And 
the door being set open and Proclamation made that all Persons keep 
silence. His Majestys s"^ CoiTiiss'^ was publickly read; And the s** Will"^ 
Tailer Esq'' in the presence of His Majestys Council took y^ oaths ap- 
pointed by act of Parliam* to be taken instead of the oaths of Allegiance 
& Supremacy, Repeated & Subscribed the Test or Declaration in the said 
Act, together with the Oath of Abjuration and took an Oath for the faith- 
ful discharge of the said Office of Lieutenant Governour. 

His Honour likewise took an oath that he would do the utmost in his 
power, that all and every the clauses matters & things contained in an 
Act of Parliam* pass'^ in the twelfth year of the reign of King Charles 
the second, entituled An Act for encouraging & increasing shipping & 
navigation & in all Acts since made & now in force relating to this Colony 
or Plantation, more particularly in an Act made and pass'd in the seventh 
& eighth years of King William the third entituled. An Act for pre- 
venting of Frauds & regulating of Abuses in y^ Plantation Trade be 
punctually and bone fide observed according to the true intent and 
mean^ thereof.^ 

Tailer was Acting Governor from June 11 to August 10, 1730. 

Jonathan Belcher was commissioned Governor by George II on 
January 28, 1730. He reached Boston Harbor August 8,^ and on 
August 10 the following proceedings took place in Council: 

1 Council Records, ix. 215-216. 

2 ix. 227-228. The following notice appeared in the New England Weekly 
Journal of February 9, 1730: 

By a Letter from a Gentleman in London, Dated London, November 28th 
1729. we have the following Advice. 
fM iHis is just to tell you, That Yesterday His Majesty in Council appointed Mr. 
-* Belcher Governour of New-England, and to Morrow he is to kiss^ the KING's 
Hand on that Occasion, attended with several of us. I reckon it ivill be Matter 
of great Surprize, and hope and believe will be very happy for New-England (p. 
2/1). 

The same paper of April 14, 1730 contained this rumor: 

By Capt. Homans from London, wc are informed that His Majesty has been 
pleased to confer the Honour of Knighthood on His Excellency Jonathan 



1913] JONATH.\N BELCHER INAUGUIL\TED GOVERNOR, 1730 73 

The Signal being given at the Castle on Saturday Evening last that 
His Excellency Jon^ Belcher Esq' was arrived at the entrance of Boston 
Harhour, divers Gentlemen . . . waited on him on Board . . . the 
Blanford, and this morning . . . attended His Excellency on board . . . 
said ship . . . 

His Excellency with the other Gentlemen being entered the Coun- 
cil Chamber & the Doors set open, Proclamation was made that 
all Persons keep silence while His Majestys Commissions are in 
reading. 

And then the Secretary with an audible voice read His Majestys 
Commission or Letters Patents bearing date at Westminster the 

1730 appointing His Excellency Jonathan Belcher Esq"" 
Captain Gen' & Gov'' in Chief in and over His Majestys Province of 
the Massachusetts Bay, as also His Majestys Commission dated in 
London the 1730, appointing His said Excellency 

^'ice Admiral of the s^ Province of the Massachusetts Bay & New 
Hampshire. 

His Excellency thereupon took the Oaths appcwnted by Act of Parlia- 
ment to be taken instead of the Oaths of Allegiance & Supremacy, re- 
peated & subscribed the Test or Declaration in the said Act together with 
the Oath of Abjuration, & took an Oath for the true and faithfull dis- 
charge of his said Office of Capt° General and Gov' in Chief of the s'^ 
Pro^^nce of the Massachusetts Bay. 

His Excellency likewise took an oath that he would do the utmost in 
his power that all & every the clauses matters & things containe<l in an 
Act of Parliam* pass'd in the twelfth year of King Charles the second, 
entituled an Act for encouraging and increasing shipping & na^^gation 
& in all other Acts since made and now in force relating to this Colony 
or Plantation, more particularly in an act made and passed in the seventh 



Belcher Esq; who is appointed Govemour and Commander in Chief in and over 
His Majesty's Provinces of the Massachusetts-Bay and New-Hampshire, in Xor- 
England; and that His Excellency intended speedily to proceed for his Govern- 
ment in one of His Majesty's Ships of War (p. 2/2). 

The same paper of August 11 said: 

On Saturday last, about the middle of the Afternoon, we were notified by a 
Signal from Castle William, of the near Approach of His Excellency Govemour 
B E L C H E R, in His Majesties Ship of War, appointed for his Transportation; 
which could reach no further that Xight, than the Mouth or Entrance of the 
Narrows. . . . The usual Services of the Sabbath were attended by his Excellency 
at the Castle, ... At the opening of the following Day, was the Town of Boston 
in a voluntary Alarm, ... (p. 1/1). 



74 THE COLONIAL SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS [March, 

& eighth years of the reign of King William the third entituled An Act 
for prevent^ of frauds & regulating of abuses in the Plantation Trade 
be punctually & Bona Fide observed accordg, to the true intent & mean- 
ing thereof, which Oaths were taken in the presence of y*" Hon'''® y® 
Lieut* Gov"" & Council.' 

Belcher was Governor from August 10, 1730, to August 14, 1741. 

William Shirley was commissioned Governor by George II on 
May 25, 1741. The following extract is taken from the Boston News 
Letter of August 13: 

This Morning Capt. Tyng, in our Pro^ance Snow, return'd hither 
from a Cruize; Yesterday Evening he came up with the Mast-Ship, 
Capt. Noble, off of Boon-Island, bound in to Piscataqua; The said 
Ship having on board His Majesty's Royal Commission constituting 
and appointing the Hon. William Shirley, Esq; Captain General and 
Governour in and over this Province, the said Commission was put on 
board Capt. Tijng, by whom it was brought hither. And we hear it will 
be publickly open'd to-morrow, when the Militia of this Town are to be 
under Arms: And Preparations are making for celebrating the Day in 
a loyal manner, suitable to the high Occasion (p. 2/2). 

On August 14 the following proceedings took place in Council: 

Memorandum — Upon Thursday the thirteenth of August 1741, His 
Majestys CoiTiission appointing William Shirley Esq"" Captain General 
and Governor in Chief of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay being 
arrived from Great Britain, And 

Fryday the 14*^^ of said month being appointed for the Publication 
thereof — About eleven aclock in the Fore Noon, he was attended at 
his own house in Boston by the Members of both Houses of Assembly, 
His Majestys Justices and a number of other Officers and gentlemen, 
and with them he went a foot towards the Court House, the Town Regi- 
ment of Militia and the Troop of Guards being drawn up between the 
Province House and the Court House, And as he passed by the Gate to 
the Province House, His Excell^y Jon'^ Belcher Esq"" & the Hon'^'^ Spencer 
Phips Esq'' the Lieut* Governor joined him, and they walked together, 
attended by the Members of both Houses, Officers and Gentlemen, as 
above mentioned, to the Court House, the Regiment and Troop of Guards 



Council Records, ix. 227-228. 



1913] WILLI.UI SHIRLEY INAUGURATED GOVERNOR, 1741 75 

saluting the new appointed Governor as he pass'd, and being entered 
into the Council Chamber, 

At a Council there held upon Fryday the 14**^ of August 1741. 

Present 

His Excell^y Jon» Belcher Esq' Gov' 

The Hon"« Spencer Phips Esq' Lt. Gov' 

The Doors were set open ; And Proclamaf^ was made that all Persons 
keep silence while His Majestys Commission is in Reading; 

And then the Secretary with an audible voice, read His Majestys 
Commission or Letters Patent bearing date at Westminster the 25"* 
day of May 1741. appointing His Excell'^^ William Shirley Esq' Captain 
General and Gov' in Chief in and over His Majestys P^o^'ince of the 
Massachusetts Bay. 

Present in Council. 

His Excelpy William Shirley Esq' Governor 

The Hon^'e the Lieut* Gov' 

His Excell°y' Commission being read as above mentioned, he took 
the Oaths appointed to be taken by an act pass'd in the first year of His 
late Majestys Reign, entituled an Act for y^ further Security of His 
!Majestys Person and Government & the succession of the Crown in the 
Heirs of the late Princess Sophia being Protestants, and for extinguish^ 
the Hopes of the pretended Prince of Wales & his open and secret Abet- 
tors; And he also made & subscribed the Declaration mentioned in an 
Act of Parliament made in y® year of the Reign of King 

Charles the Second, entitled An Act for preventing dangers wh'^ may 
happen from Popish Recusants; and likewise took an Oath for the due 
execution of the Office and trust of His Majestys Captain General & 
Governor in Chief in and over the said Pro\ance, as well with regard to 
the due administration of Justice as otherwise, And His ExcelF^ likewise 
took an oath that he would do y^ utmost in his Power that all and every 
the clauses, matt'^, and things contained in an act of Parliam* passed 
in the twelfth year of the Reign of King Charles y° Second, entitled An 
Act for encouraging & increasing shipping and Na\'igation & in all other 
Acts since made and now in force relating to this Colony or Plantation, 
more particularly in an Act made and pass'd in the seventh and eighth 
years of the Reign of King William y^ Third, entitled An Act for prevent- 
ing of Frauds and regulating of abuses in the Plantation Trade, be punct- 
ually and Bona Fide observed, according to the true intent and meaning 



76 THE COLONIAL SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS [March, 

thereof; Which Oaths were taken in the Presence of the Hon^^® the Lieut* 
Governor and Council. 

And then His Excell^^ with the Advice of y^ Council issued a Proc- 
lamation for the continuance of all Officers Civil and Military in the 
exercise of their respective Offices until further Order. 

Which Proclamation was published out of the Balcony of the Council 
Chamber, & was followed with the discharge of the Cannon at the Castles, 
Batteries and Ships, & Volleys from the Regiment & Troop of Guards 
under arms: 

After which His EscelP^ dined in Publick w*^ the late Governor, Lieut* 
Gov'' and Council, and the other Officers and Gentlemen, An Entertainm* 
having been provided by order of the Governm* ^ 

Upon the departure of Governor Shirley for England on September 
11, 1749, the government devolved on Lieutenant-Governor Spencer 
Phips; and on September 15 — 

His Excellency William Shirley Esq' Captain General & Governour 
in Chief of his ^ Province, having on Monday last Embarked for Great 
Britain, & the Administration of the Government thereupon devolving 
upon the Hon'''® Spencer Phips Esq' as Lieuten* Governour & Com- 
mander in Chief in the Governour's Absence. 

His Honour this Day in the presence of his Majesty's Council, took 
the Oaths appointed by Act of Parliam* to be taken instead of the Oaths 
of Allegiance & Supremacy, repeated & subscribed the Test or Declara- 
tion in the said Act contain'd, together with the Oath of Abjuration, & 
took an Oath for the faithful Discharge of his Office of Lieuten* Gov- 
ernour & Commander in Chief of this Province, And also took an 
Oath that he would do the utmost in his Power, that all & every 
the Clauses, Matters & Things contained in Act of Parliament pass'd 
in the twelfth Year of the Reign of King Charles the second, entitled 
an Act for the encouraging & increasing Shipping & Navigation, & 
in all others Acts since made & now in Force relating to the Colony 
& Plantation, & more particularly. An Act pass'd in the seventh & 
eighth Year of the Reign of King William the Third, entitled an Act 
for preventing Frauds & regulating Abuses in the Plantations, be 
punctually & bona Fide observed, according to the true Intent & 
Meaning thereof.* 



1 Council Records, x. 533-536. 

2 Error for "this" or "his Majesty's." 

3 Council Records, xii. 122. 



1913] GOVERNOR SHIRLEY GOES TO ENGLAND, 1756 77 

Phips was Acting Governor from September 15, 1749, to August 
7, 1753, when Governor Shirley returned.^ Having been recalled to 
England, Shirley left Boston on September 25, 1756, and never came 
back as Governor. The following extract is taken from the Boston 
Gazette of September 27, 1756: 

Last Saturday at 12 o'Clock, his Excellency William Shirley, Esq; 
went from the Council Chamber to the End of the Long Wharf e, where 
the Castle Barge was waiting to receive him — His Excellency preceeded 
by the Company of Cadets, and the Officers of the INlilitia, and followed 
by such of the Gentlemen of the Council and House as were then in Tov, n, 
together with a Number of Gentlemen of Distinction — After receiving 
the Compliments of the Company, the Barge put off from tlie Wharfe, 
when He was saluted by a Discharge of the Guns of the several Batteries 
in this Town and Charlestown, and with the Castle Guns as he past by 
it; and in a short Time the Barge was along Side of the Mermaid Man of 
War, in which His Excellency embarks for England. A fair Wind offer'd 
for her Sailing Yesterday, but we cannot yet presume to determine when 
she will Sail, having been so often out in Times past on that Head (p. 
2/l).2 



^ The following extracts are taken from the Boston Gazette of Tuesday, 
August 14 and September 11, 1753: 

On Tuesday last, in the Afternoon, his Excellency our Governor arrived from 
England, in his Majesty's Ship Port-Mahon, under the Command of Capt. 
Montague, . . . About five o'Clock his Excellency went ... to Castle William, 
. . . The Day following his Excellency remained at the Castle; and on Thursday 
he came up in the Castle Barge (August 14, p. 3/1). 

On Saturday last His Excellency the Governour did the Proprietors of Pullin- 
Point the Honour of dining with them at the said Point, where a very elegant 
Entertainment was prepar'd for him; . . . The Proprietors, after taking Leave 
from His Excellency, gave it the Name of Point-Shirley (September 11, p. 3/2). 

2 "Thursday last arrived here from Halifax, his Majesty's Ship Mermaid, the 
Hon. Washington Shiuley Esq; Commander" (Boston News Letter, August 
19, 1756, p. 4/1). 

"His Majesty's Ship Mermaid, Captain Washington Shirley, still abides in 
oiu- Harbour" (Boston Gazette, September 20, p. 2/1). 

"On Saturday last His Excellency embarked on board His Majesty's Ship 
Mermaid, Washington Shirley, Esq; Commander. . . . And, 

"About four o'clock in the Afternoon on Monday last the Mermaid (as also 
the Schooner employed as a Tender) got under Sail, when she saluted Castle- 
William, which was returned by the Discharge of the Cannon there, and then pro- 
ceeded on her Voyage with a fair Wind; which has continued ever since" (Boston 
News Letter, September 30, p. 1/2). 

"Monday last, in the .(Vfternoon, his Majesty's Ship Mermaid (on board of 



78 THE COLONIAL SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS [March, 

Once more the government devolved on Lieutenant-Governor 
PhiiJS, who remained Acting Governor from September 25, 1756, to 
his death on April 4, 1757.^ 

By the death of Phips the government, for the third and last time 
in the history of the Province, devolved upon the Council. On 
April 5 the Council took the following action: 

Whereas it hath pleased God in his holy Providence to remove the 
Honoui'able Spencer Phips Esq'' late Lieutenant Governour and Com- 
mander in chief of this Province, by Death, & thereupon the Adminis- 
tration of this Government is devolved on his Majesty's Council in 
virtue of the Royal Charter — 

The Council issued a Proclamation for establishing all Military Offi- 
cers in their posts until further Order.^ 

The proclamation thus issued was as follows, copied from the 
Boston Evening Post of April 11, 1757 (p. 1/2): 

Province of the Massachusetts-Bay. 

By the Honourable 

His Majesty's Council for the Province aforesaid. 

A PROCLAMATION. 

"WT^ HERE AS it hath pleased GOD in his holy Providence to remove 
yy the Eonourahle SPENCER PHIPS, Esq; late Lieuten- 
ant Governour and Commander in Chief of said Province, by Death; and 



which is his Excellency Governor Shirley) sail'd from this Port for England. 
As soon as she got under Sail, his Excellency was saluted with a Discharge of 15 
Cannon at Castle William, which was ans.ver'd by a like Number of the Mer- 
Tiiaid's Guns" (Boston Evening Post, October 4, p. 1/2). 

"Tuesday Morning last His Majesty's Ship Mermaid sail'd from hence for 
England" (Boston Gazette October 4, p. 2/1). 

^ "Last Monday Night died at his Seat in Cambridge, after a few days Illness, 
the Honourable SPENCER PHIPS, Esq; Lieutenant-Governor and Commander 
in Chief of this Province, in the 74th Year of his Age; and on Saturday his Corps 
was very honourably interred, . . ." (Boston Evening Post, April 11, 1757, 
p. 4/1). 

2 Council Records, xiii. 212. 



1913] GOVERNilENT DEVOLVES UPON THE COUNCIL, 1757 79 

thereupon the administration of this Government is devolved on His Majesty's 
Council in Virtue of the Royal Charter; 

WE have therefore thought fit (m Council) to issue this Proclama- 
tion; hereby establishing all military Commissions heretofore 
issued by Lawful Authority', and which ha\e at no Time since been re- 
voked or superceded; and they are hereby established and confirmed to 
all Intents and Purposes, until further Order; and all Persons commis- 
sioned as aforesaid, and all others concern'd, are to govern themselves 
accordingly. 

Given binder our Hands at the Council-Chamber in Boston, the 
fifth Day of April 1757, in the Thirtieth Year of the Reign 
of our Sovereign Lord GEORGE the Second, by the 
Grace of GOD, of Great-Britain, France and Ireland, 
KING, Defender of the Faith, &c. 

Wm. Pepperrell 
By Order of the Council, J. Osborne 

A. Olivek, Seer. Tho. Hutchinson Jacob Wendell 

Stephen Sewall Benja. L^Tide 

Joseph P^mchon S. Danforth 
Isaac Royall Sara. Watts 

Benja. Lincoln John Hill 

John Erving J. Chandler 

Rich. Cutt James Minot 

Wm. Brattle. John Otis 

A. Oliver 

GOD Save the KING. 

On April 8 the Council wrote the following letter: 

Boston 8*^ April 1757 
;NLvy it Please your Lordships 

It is our duty to take the earliest opportunity to ad^^se your Lord- 
ships of the Death of the Hon*"^ Spencer Phips Esq'' Lieutenant Gover- 
nour of the ProNnnce who died the 4 Instant 

The Governour being at this time out of the Pro\aace, a greater share 
of the Government is now devolved on the Council. We are very sen- 
sible that his Majestys Service requires the utmost attention at this 



80 THE COLONIAL SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS [March, 

important Juncture; and we shall apply ourselves to discharge the duties 
of your Trust with an answerable Zeal and Diligence 
We have the Honour to be with very great Respect 
Your Lordships 

Most obedient and 

most humble servants 
John Chandler Richard Cutt 

EzEKiEL Cheever John Osboene 

Andrew Oliver Jacob Wendell 

Joseph Pynchon Benjamin Lynde 

John Otis John Gushing 

Thomas Hutchinson Daniel Russell 
Stephen Sewall Samuel Watts 

Benjamin Lincoln John Hill 
John Erving 
The Right Hon'''® the Lords Commissioners for Trade and the Plantations ^ 

The Council administered the government from April 5 to August 
3, 1757. 

Thomas Pownall was commissioned Governor by George II on 
February 25, 1757. He reached Boston Harbor August 2,^ and came 
to Boston and was sworn on August 3: 

Tins Day his Excellency Thomas Pownall Esq'' Arrived in the prov- 
ince with his Majesty's Royal Commission appointing him Captain 
General and Governour in chief of the said Province; And another Com- 
mission appointing him Vice Admiral of the same, which were duly 
published in the Council Chamber; After which his Excellency took the 
Oaths appointed by Act of Parliament to be taken instead of the Oaths 
of Allegiance and Supremacy repeated & subscribed the Test or Decla- 
ration in the said Act contained, together with the Oath of Abjuration, 



^ Massachusetts Archives, Ivi. 50. 

^ "Tuesday last, in the Afternoon, arrived in Nantasket-Road, from Halifax, 
his Majesty's Ship Nightingale, Capt. Campbell; in which ship came his Excel- 
lency THOMAS POWNALL, Esq; with his Majesty's Royal Commission to 
be Captain-General, Governor and Commander in Chief in and over this his 
Majesty's Province of the Massachusetts-Bay; as also a Commission from the 
Right Honourable the Lords of the Admiralty, to be Vice-Admiral of the same, 
&c. His Excellency is also Lieutenant-Governor of the Province of New-Jersey, 
and Agent for His Majesty's General Affair under the Command of Lord 
LOTJDOUN. . . ." (Boston News Letter, August 4, 1757, p. 2/1). 



1913] THOZilAS POWNALL INAUGURATED GOVERNOR, 1757 81 

An Oath to do his utmost to Observe and cause to be Observed the sev- 
eral Acts of Parliament now in Force for regulating Trade in the planta- 
tions, and an Oath for the due and faithful performance of his Offices.^ 

Pownall was Governor from August 3, 1757, to June 3, 1760, on 
which day the following proceedings took place in the House: 

Resolve relative to fT^HE Committee appointed to prepare a Resolve 

hisLxcellency sDe- I _ ^-^ . . 

parture, &c. JL respecting the attending his Excellency, upon his 

Departure, Reported. 

Read and accepted, and the following Resolve passed, 
viz. 

Whereas the two Houses are informed that his Excel- 
lency Governor Pownall, designs this Day to embark for 
Great Britain: 

Resolved, That as a Testimony of their Respect to 
his Excellency upon his Departure, they wait upon him 
from the Court-House to the End of the Long Wharffe, 
and take Leave of him there. 

Resolved also, That the Gentlemen of both Houses 
wait upon his Honour the Lieutenant Governour, upon 
his Return to the Court House, in order to take the 
Chair of Government. 

Sent up for Concurrence by Col. Clap, Col. Williams, 
Col. Jones, IMr. Stone, and Col. Waldo.'^ . . . 

The House attend Mr. Speaker' and the House, agreable to the Resolve 

his Excellency Gov- ^ ' <=> 

ernor PoxvnaU. &c. of this Moming, waited upon his Excellency Governor 
Pownall, to the End of the Long Wharffe and after 
Leave taken — 

Mr. Speaker and the House attended his Honour the 
Lieut. Governour to the Chair. 

Who v;as pleased to make a SPEECH to both Houses : 
of which Mr. Speaker obtain'd a Copy: And then ^-ith 
the House returned to their ovm Chamber. 

His Honour's SPEECH to both Houses, is as fol- 
lows, viz. 

» Council Records, xiii. 283. Cf. Crown Commissions, 1628-1663, p. 155. 
For an account of the two volumes labelled "Crown Commissions, 1628-1663" 
and "Cro\\Ti Commissions, 1677-1774," see Publications of this Society, vol. ii. 
p. x^-ii note 5, p. xviii note 4; and cf. xiv. 397 note. 

2 House Journal, p. 17. ' James Otifl. 



82 THE COLONIAL SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS [March, 

Gentlemen of the Council, and House of Representatives, 

HIS Excellency Governor Pownall, having em- 
barked for Great-Britain, and the Administra- 
' tion being devolved upon me, by virtue of his Majesty's 
'Commission for Lieut. Governor, I shall etideavour to 
' improve what Opportunity may be allowed me, in pro- 
'moting his Majesty's Service and the Interest of the 
'Province: ^ . . . 

Lieutenant-Governor Hutchinson was Acting Governor from June 
3 to August 2, 1760. 

Francis Bernard was commissioned Governor by George II on 
January 14, 1760; and was again commissioned Governor by George 
III on April 4, 1761.^ He reached Boston August 2, 1760, on which 
day he was sworn: 

^ House Journal, p. 20. Presumably Hutchinson, on becoming Acting Gov- 
ernor, took the oaths, but no mention of them is made in the Council Records, 
nor in the Court Records, nor in the Massachusetts Archives. The following 
extract is taken from the Boston Evening Post of June 9, 1760 (p. 3/1): 

LAST Tuesday, about Noon, His Excellency Governor POWNALL, at- 
tended by His Honor the Lieut. Governor, the Honorable Gentlemen of 
His Majesty's Council and House of Representatives, and a great Num- 
ber of Civil and Military Officers, and other Gentlemen, set out from the Court- 
House in this Town, and being escorted by the Company of Cadets, under Arms, 
walk'd in Procession, thro' King-Street, down the Long- Wharf, where the Castle- 
Barge lay ready for the Reception of His Excellency; And after receiving the most 
respectful Salutations, upon his Departure from us. His Excellency was received 
into the Barge; . . . 

After His Excellency's Departure, his Honor the Lieutenant Governor made 
the following Speech to both Houses, viz. . . . 

2 Rumors of the death of George II, which occurred October 25, 1760, reached 
Boston December 25 and were confirmed December 27. On the latter day Gov- 
ernor Bernard communicated the news to the Council, which "Advised that his 
Excellency cause his most sacred Majesty King George the Third to be pro- 
claimed on Tuesday the 30**^ day of December Instant at 12 o'Clock at Noon" 
(Council Records, xiv. 298). On December 29 the House of Representatives was 
ordered to attend in the Council Chamber, Bernard made a speech, and the com- 
mittee appointed "to consider what is proper to be done, on that Occasion" 
made the following report : 

The Committee appointed on his Excellency's Speech of this Afternoon, 
relative to the Accession of his majesty King George the Third, are of Opinion 
that his Honour the late Lieutenant Governor Dummer, all officers Civil and 
Military, who belong to the Town or may be in it; all the Gentlemen of the 



1913] FRANCIS BERNARD INAUGURATED GOVERNOR, 1760 S3 

Pro\ance of the Massachusetts Bay Aug* 2. 1760 

His Excelk Francis Bernard Esqj took the Oaths appointed by Act 
of Parliament to be taken instead of the Oaths of Allegiance and Suprem- 
acy, repeated & Subscribed the Test or Declaration therein Contained 
together with the Oath of Abjuration, and an Oath for the due Observ- 
ance of the se^•e^aI Laws and Statutes now in force for the regulating 
Trade & na\'igation in America, likewise the Oath for the due and faith- 
ful performance of his Duty in the respective offices to which he is ap- 
pointed. Which Oaths were administred by the Lieu* Gov'' Before his 
Majesty's Council and the House of Representatives 

Attest A Oliver See" ^ 

Clergy, and merchants as aforesaid; all the Kings Officers, and Officers of the 
Customs as aforesaid the Gentlemen of the Law, and other Gentlemen of Dis- 
tinction be invited to be present, at the Proclaiming of his majesty to morrow. 
noon And that Provision be made for his Excellency the Governor, his Honour 
the Lieutenant Governor, the Gentlemen that are, or have been of his Majesty's 
Council, the members of the House of Representatives, and the Gentlemen before 
mentioned, to drink the Kings Health at Faneuil Hall, in the Evening. And 
that the Court House be illuminated on the Occasion (Court Records, xxiii. 505). 

The following account appeared in the Boston News Letter of January 1, 1761 : 

BOSTON, January 1. 1761. 

LAST Thursday we had a Report from Europe of the Death of His 
Britannick Majesty King GEORGE the Second; which Report was 
confirmed on the Saturday folIoTving by the public Prints brought 
by the Race-Horse, Captain Samuel Partridge, who arrived here 
that Day from London, but in 40 Days from Portsmouth: — . .' . 
Tuesday in the Forenoon, His Honour the Lieut. Governor, the Honovuable 
his Majesty's Council and House of Representatives, and a Number of other 
Gentlemen, waited upon lus Excellency the Governor at the Province House; 
from whence they walked in Procession to the Council-Chamber, being escorted 
by the Company of Cadets, commanded by Colonel Jarvis: The Regiment of 
Militia, commanded by Colonel Phillips, were mustered on the Occasion, and 
appeared under Arms in King-Street. — About XII o' Clock the Proclamation 
(wliich follows in the next Column) was read, and repeated with a loud Voice 
from the Balcony of the Court-House; and on finishing with GOD save the 
KING, three Huzzas were given by a vast Concourse of People of all Ranks, 
assembled on this Occasion; which was followed by three VoUics from the Regi- 
ment of Militia and Company of Cadets; And upon a Signal given, 63 Pieces of 
Cannon were discharged at Castle WiUiam, and also a Round at each of the 
Batteries in this Towti and at Charlestown. — In the Evening there were publick 
Illuminations, and a handsome Entertainment provided at Faneuil-Hall, where 
the Health of his Majesty King GEORGE the Third, the Royal Family, and 
many other loyal Healths were drank. — The whole Ceremony was carried on 
and concluded vith great Decency and good Decorum (p. 1/1). 

1 Crown Commissions, 1628-1663, p. 184. 



84 THE COLONIAL SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS [March, 

Bernard was Governor from August 2, 1760,^ to August 1, 17G9. 
The Boston Evening Post of August 7, 1769, said: 

On Monday last His Excellency Governor Bernard left his Seat at 
Roxbury and went to Castle William. The next Morning about Nine 
o'clock he embarked on board His Majesty's Ship Rippon, then lying 
in King-Road. The Wind being fair the Ship came the - sail, but soon 
after the Wind shifting to the East, she anchored again a Mile or two 
below her former Moorings, where she lay till Friday Morning, when she 
came to sail again and went out with a fair Wind (p. 3/1).^ 

With the departure of Governor Bernard, the government again 
devolved upon Lieutenant-Governor Hutchinson; and on August 2 — 

His Excellency Sir Francis Bernard Bar* Governor of this Province 
having embarked for Great Britain, His Honor the Lieutenant Governor 
came into the Council Chamber, and in the presence of the Council took 
the Oaths appointed by Act of Parliament to be taken, instead of the 
Oaths of Allegiance & Supremacy, repeated and subscribed the Test or 
Declaration therein contained, together with the Oath of Abjuration, 
as also an Oath that he would do his utmost that all clauses matters and 
things contained in the Acts of Parliament passed as well since as before 
the enacting of the Act of the 7*^ and 8'^'' of William, the Third and at 
this time in force, relating to the Colonies and Plantations, and that all 
and every the clauses contained in the said Act intitled " An Act for pre- 
venting Frauds and regulating Abuses in the Plantation Trade" be 
punctually and bona fide observed, according to the true intent and 
meaning thereof: And that he would faithfully perform the duties of 
his Office of Commander in chief of said Province, according to the best 
of his judgment and sldll. After which His Honor took the chair. ^ 

1 The Boston Evening Post of August 4, 1760, said (p. 3/1): 

Saturday last about one o'clock, came to Towti by land from Providence, his 
Excellency FRANCIS BERNARD, Esq; with his Majesty's Royal Commission 
to be Captain-General, Governor and Commander in Chief in and over his Ma- 
jesty's Province of the Massachusetts-Bay; as also a Commission from the Right 
Honourable the Lords of the Admiralty, to be Vice-Admiral of the same, &c. 

2 Error for "to." 

' The same paper of August 7, 1769, said: 

His Excellency upon his embarldng, having delivered the Province Seal to 
the Lieutenant Governor, Wednesday last His Honor in Council took the Oaths 
appointed by Acts of Parliament in order to take upon him the Administration 
of the Province (p. 3/1). 

* Council Records, xvi. 431. 



1913] THOMAS HUTCHINSON INAUGURATED GOVERNOR, 1771 85 

Ilutcliinson was Acting Governor from August 2, 17G9, to jMarcli 
14, 1771, when he became actual Governor. 

Thomas Hutchinson was commissioned Governor by George III 
on November 28, 1770. On IMarch 11, 1771, — 

The Lieutenant Governor acquainted the Board that he had received 
His ]\Iajesty's Commission, appointing him Captain General and Com- 
mander in Chief of the Province, and had received orders thenvith to 
cause his Commission to be published in the usual form. That it had 
been usual on such occasions to have the Regiment of the To\^m of Bos- 
ton in Arms, but that as the Streets are at this time full of Snow and 
water, he thinks it would be very inconvenient to assemble such a body 
of men, as their health must be much exposed by being so long on foot 
in the Streets at such a time. He therefore thought it Avould be suffi- 
cient to be attended only by the Troop of Guards and a Company made 
up of Non-Commissioned Officers of the Regiment, together with a 
Detachment of the Train of Artillery, which under the present circum- 
stances, he apprehended might answer all the pm-poses of a Military 
appearance on this occasion : — Upon which the Board expressed their 
intire approbation of the proposal, and His Honor signified that he should 
give orders accordingly. 

His Honor likewise proposed that instead of ha\ang a Publick Dinner 
on the day when the Commission should be opened, there should be the 
usual preparation made as when the King's health is drank, in the Council 
Chamber, for entertaining the Company that may be then present. To 
which His Majesty's Council did Advise and Consent. And further 
Advised, that Thursday next, be appointed for observing the Ceremony 
aforesaid.^ 

Accordingly, on March 14 Hutchinson was sworn: 

Pro^yeofthe 1 ^arch 14. 1771. 

Massachusetts Bay J 

His Excellency Thomas Hutchinson Esq' having published his Com"^ 
from his present Majesty to be Captain General and Governor in Chief 
of his Province of Mass" Bay, took the Oaths appointed by Act of Par- 
liament to be taken instead of the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy, 
repeated and subscribed the Test or declaration therein containe<l to- 
gether with the Oath of Abjuration; and an Oath that he would do his 
utmost that all the Clauses, matters and things contained in the Acts of 

» Council Records, xvi. 532-533. 



86 THE COLONIAL SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS [March, 

Parliament passed as well since as before the enacting of the Act of the 
7 and 8 of William the third and at this time in force relating to the Col- 
onies & Plantations, and that all and every the Clauses contained in 
the said Act intituled " An Act for preventing frauds and regulating the 
abuses in the Plantation Trade" be punctually and bona fide observed 
according to the true intent and meaning thereof: and that he would 
faithfully perform the duties of the office of Captain General and Gov- 
ernor in Chief of the Province aforesaid according to the best of his 
Judgment and skill; 

Before us 

S Danforth 1 

Jn° Erving [ 

William Brattle J 



Members of his 
Majesty's Council * 



Hutchinson was Governor from March 14, 1771, to May 17, 1774.^ 

Thomas Gage was commissioned Governor by George III on 
April 7, 1774. He reached Boston May 13,^ and on May 14 — 

His Excellency the Governor introduced the Council to General Gage, 
who arrived from England the preceding day, and acquainted them that 
His Majesty had been pleased to appoint him Captain General and Gov- 
ernor in Chief of the Province, & that the General proposed to open his 
Commission as soon as might be. Whereupon they Advised that the 
Commission be published at the Council Chamber in Boston, on Tuesday 
the 17**^ Instant, and that His Excellency the Governor order the Regi- 
ment of the Militia of the Town, the Company of Cadets, and the Troop 



^ Crown Commissions, 1677-1774, p. 124, 

2 The following extract is from the Boston Evening Post of May 16, 1774: 

WHITEHALL, April 2. 
THOMAS HUTCHINSON, Esq; Governor of the Province of the Massa- 
chusets Bay, in North- America, having humbly requested liis Majesty's leave 
to come to England, the King has been graciously pleased to comply therewith, 
and to appoint THOMAS GAGE, Esq. Lieutenant-General of his Majesty's 
forces, to be Captain-General and Governor in Chief of the said Proviace, and 
Vice-Admiral of the same, during his Majesty's pleasure (p. 1/3). 

Hutchinson himself left Boston June 1. The Boston Gazette of June 6 said: 
"Thomas Hutchinson, Esq; sailed Wednesday Morning with Capt. Callahan for 
London. Jonah laid three days in the Whale's Belly, on his Passage to Nineveh, 
that great City" (p. 1/1). 

^ "Friday last arrived here his Majesty's Ship Lively, Capt. Bishop, in 26 
Days from England, in whom came his Excellency General GAGE" (Boston 
Evening Post, May 16, p. 2/3). 



1913] THOMAS GAGE INAUGURATED GOVERNOR, 1774 S7 

of Horse Guards to appear in arms : — that a public dinner be pro\-ided 
and a list of the Company proposed to be invited to dine on this occasion, 
be prepared for his approbation: and the Councellors present were ap- 
pointed a Committee to see that suitable provision be made accordingly.* 

Accordingly, Gage was sworn on May 17: 

^ Provance of l n + a/t i 7th i 77A 

Massachusetts Bay] 

His Excellency Thomas Gage Esq' having published his Commission 
from his present Majesty, to be Captain General and Commander in 
Chief of the Province aforesaid, took the Oaths appointed by Act of 
Parliament to be taken instead of the Oaths of Allegiance and supremacy, 
repeated and subscribed the Test or declaration therein contained to- 
gether with the Oath of Abjuration, and an Oath that he would do his 
utmost that all the clauses, matters and things contained in the Acts 
of Parliament passed as well since as before the enacting of the 7 & 8 
of William the third and at this time in force relating to the Colonies 
and plantations, and that all and every the clauses contained in the said 
Act intitled "An Act for preventing frauds and regulating the abuses 
in the plantation Trade," be punctually and bona fide observed accord- 
ing to the true intent and meaning thereof. And that he would faithfully 
perform the duties of his office of Captain General and Governor in 
Chief of the Province aforesaid according to the best of his Judgment 
and skill 

Before us 

Samuel Danforth 

John Erving 

James Bowdoin 



Members of his 
Majesty's Council ^ 



General Gage, the last Royal Governor, left Boston on October 10, 
1775.3 



^ Council Records, xvi. 794. 

2 Crown Commissions, 1677-1774, p. 143. 

3 The folk)wing paragraph appeared in the Boston News Letter of Friday, 
October 13, 1775: 

La.st Tuesday, at 12 o'CIock, His Excellency General GAGE, accompanied 
by the principal Officers of the Army and Navy, and a large Number of the most 
respectable Inhabitants of this To^\ti, proceeded to the Long-^\^larf, where he 
embarked for England, having received his Majesty's Orders to repair thither 
to lay before his Majesty the State of Aflfairs in this Province. That kind and 
humane Disposition which ids E.\ccllency has discovered through the whole 



88 THE COLONLIL SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS [March, 



Lieutenant-Governors 

WiLLiAJM Stoughton was commissioned Lieutenant-Governor by 
William and jMary, doubtless late in 1691, though the exact date is 
not known. On May 16, 1692, — 

His Maj"^^ Commission, Constituting & appointing William Stoughto^, 
Esq"" to be their Maj*''^^ Lieutenant Governour of the Massachusetts 
Bay, and their Deputy Lieutenant of the Militia within their whole 
Territory and Dominion of New England in America, was read and 
published. . . . 

William Stoughton Esq'''' Lieut Gov"" tooke his Oath for the due and 
faithfull performance of his Office or place of Lieutenant or Deputy 
Governour & the Oaths appointed by said Act of Parliament made in 
the first year of their present Maj"<=^ Reign, to be taken instead of 
the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy — Before his Excellency the 
Governour.^ 

Stoughton was Lieutenant-Governor from May 16, 1692, to his 
death on July 7, 1701. ^ He was Acting Governor from December 4, 
1694, to May 26, 1699; and again from July 22, 1700, to July 7, 
1701.3 



of his Administration, has made his Departure universally regretted. — He is 
accompanied by the Hon. Thomas Fltjcker, Esq; Secretary to the Province, 
Stephen Kemble, Esq; Secretary to his Excellency, and the Captains Donkin 
and RooKE, his Aid de Camps (p. 2/2). 
Cf. p. 105 note 6, below. 

1 Council Records, ii. 167-168. 

2 See p. 50 note 5, above. An editorial note in the Massachusetts Province 
Laws, appended to a Ust of " Councillors or Assistants " for 1692-1693, says 
that " For this year the Lieutenant-Governor sat and acted with the Council 
as a member, ex officio : it* subsequent years, he was regularly elected a coun- 
cillor " (vii. 5 note). If by " Lieutenant-Governor" is meant Stoughton, the 
statement is correct, as he was elected each year from 1693 to 1701, both in- 
cluded. But if by " Lieutenant-Governor " is meant subsequent holders of 
that office, the statement is erroneous. Povey was never elected to the Coun- 
cil. Neither Spencer Phips nor Andrew OUver was once elected to the Council 
during the years they were Lieutenant-Governors. Tailer, Dummer, and 
Hutchinson sometimes were, sometimes were not, elected to the Council during 
their terms of office as Lieutenant-Governor. See Whitmore's Massachusetts 
Civil List, pp. 46-63. 

3 See pp. 48, 49, 50, above. 



1913] TIIO^US POVEY INAUGURATED LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR, 1702 89 

Thomas Povey ^ was commissioned Lieutenant-Governor by Anne 
on April 11, 1702. He reached Boston June 11 and took office the 
same day: 

Then Her Maj*^' ^ Royal Commission of the eleventh of April past, 
constituting and appointing the Hon*^'^ Thomas Povey Esq""*^ Capt" in 
her Maj'y'* own Regiment of Foot Guards to be Lieut' Gov'' of the 
Pro^'ince & Territory es of the Massachusets Bay was read, and publislicd, 
and he tooke the Oaths afores'^ appointed to be taken instead of the 
oaths of allegiance and Supremacy unto her present Maj'^ and repeated 
and subscribed the Dcclarat".^ 



^ Little is knovm of Povey. On June 11, 1702, Sewall wrote: "I was 
startled at 2 or 3 things; viz. The L*' Govcmour a stranger, sent, whom we 
knew nor heard anything of before: When the Gov'' first mention'd it, I under- 
stood him of. Mr. Addington" (Diary, ii. 5S). In a letter to Fitz John Win- 
thi-op dated Boston, June 21, 1702, the Rev. Timothy Woodbridge said: " Y^ 
Leit: Governer is one Capt Tho: Povey, cousin to one of that name knoune 
to your self; he is a souldier, was nine years in y® army in Flanders " (6 
Massachusetts Historical Collections, iii. 99). If by "one of that name" is 
meant a Thomas Povey, probably the reference is to Thomas Povey, F.R.S., 
the friend of Evelyn and Pepys. Or the reference may be to John Povey, 
Clerk of the Privy Council. In a notice of Thomas Povey, F.R.S., the writer 
saj's that " A half-brother John, who was clerk of the privy council, and 
commissioner for the sick and wounded under William III, died in June 1705" 
(Dictionary of National Biography, 1909, xvi. 236), and cites Luttrell as his 
authority. What Luttrell wrote, however, is as follows: " Captain Thomas Sa- 
voury is made treasurer to the commissioners for the sick and wounded, in the 
room of Mr. Povey, deceased " (Brief Relation, v. 564). LuttreU's "Mr. 
Povoy " was not John Povey, but Richard Povey. A " Letter from the 
Com''^ for sick and wounded," dated June 5, 1704, mentions " Mr. Povey, 
their treasurer, being dead " (Calendar of Treasury Papers, 1702-1707, p. 351). 
John Povey did not die until 1715: "John Pocey Esq; one of the Clerks of 
the Privy-Council, died Apr. 1715 " (J. Le Neve, Monumenta Anglicana, 1717, 
v. 304). Under date of October 30, 1718, is a reference to a "petition of 
Thomas Povey, son of John Povey, Esq., late Clerk of the Privy Council " 
(Calendar of Treasury Papers, 1714-1719, p. 40S). F. B. Relton thinks that 
John Povey was " probably " a half-brother of Thomas Povey, F.R.S. (Ac- 
count of the Fire Insurance Companies, 1893, p. 452). The late Rev. A. T. S. 
Goodrick asserted, but without stating his authority, that John Povey was a son 
of William Povey (Topi:)an's Randolph, vi. 146 note 206). An editorial note in 
the Massachusetts Province Laws declares that Lt.-Gov. Povey was " a brother 
of John Povey, clerk of the Privy Council" (vii. 331 note). The genealogy of 
the Povey family is at present a hopeless tangle. For Povey's military career, 
see Dalton's English Army Lists and Commission Registers, 1661-1714, iii. 237, 
238, 306, 307, v. 155, 159. 

^ Coimcil Records, iii. 323. 



90 THE COLONIAL SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS [March, 

His last appearance at the Council was on January 28, 1706, 
when — 

His Ex^y acquainting the Council, that his honour the L* Gov'' had 
obtained leave to return into England. And that he designed to take 
passage by the way of Lisboa, upon a ship at Piscataqua, near ready to 
saile thither. 

Advised and Consented. That a Warrant be made out to the Treas- 
urer^ to pay the sum of twenty five pounds to the s'^ Thomas Povey Esq""^ 
for three Months service as Commander of her Maj*^'^ Castle William, 
commencing from the Thirty first of October last past to which time the 
Muster Rolls of that Garrison were last made up and pass'd.^ 

The exact date of Povey's departure is not known, but it was 
doubtless within a few days after the announcement of his going 
away.^ 

William TAiLER^was commissioned Lieutenant-Governor by Anne 
in 1711, but the precise date is not known. He reached Boston 
October 3, and was sworn October 4th: 



^ Harrison Gray. 

2 Council Records, iv. 261-262. 

* The following extracts are from the Boston News Letter for 1706: 

Boston, Coasters Cleared Outwards, Samuel Dutch in Sloop Nightingal, for 
Piscataqua (February 11, p. 2/2). 

Piscataqua, Febr. 15. On Monday 11 Currant arrived here Samuel Dutch in 
a Sloop from Boston, having on Board the Hon. Col. Tho. Povey Esqr. Lieut. 
Gov. of Her Majesty's Province of the Massachusetts-Bay, who intends on Thurs- 
day next to Imbark on Board Capt. Jarvenin for Lisbon, and so to England 
(February 18, p. 2/2). 

Piscataqua, March 1. On Friday the 15th of February last, Capt. Jarvenin 
Sailed from hence to Lisbon (March 4, p. 4/2). 

* The following letter is in the library of the Massachusetts Historical So- 
ciety (C. 71. 1.67): 

Whitehall May 22**1 1711 

S« 

The Queen having been pleased to constitute Colonell Wilham Tailer Lieu- 
tenant Governor of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England and 
the Territorys depending thereon, with all the Rights and Advantages thereunto 
belonging, I must recommend him to your Favour and Assistance, if there be 
occasion, that he may receive the benefit of Her Maj*^ ^ Gracious Intention to 
him, in as full & ample manner as any of liis predecessors have done. Though 
his personal Interest and Merit will be a sufficient Recommendation of him to 
you and to the Assembly there yet upon the Character I have received of the 
Services he has performed and of his Zeale and Loyalty in what may occurre 



1913] TAILER INAUGURATED LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR, 1711, 1715 91 

Her I^Iajestys Commission constituting the Hon*"® William Tailer 
Esq""® Lieu*^ Governor of this Province who arrived from Great Britain 
the last night was opened & read and his Honor took the Oath appointed 
by the Act of Parliament to be taken instead of the Oaths of Allegiance 
and Supremacy repeated and subscribed the Declaration.^ 

Tailer was commissioned Lieutenant-Governor by George I on 
April 2S, 1715, and took the oaths on September 24th: 

A Commission to William Tailer Esq' from His Majesty King George, 
dated the 28^^ of April for Lieut* Gov' & a Commission to Samuel Wood- 
ward Esq' for Secretary of this Province were severally read at tlie Board. 

The Hon'^'« William Tailer Esq' Lt. Gov' and Samuel Woodward 
Esq' Secretary severally took the Oaths appointed by Act of Parliament 
to be taken instead of the Oaths of Allegiance & Supremacy repeated 



for the future, I can not but add mine; and take this Opportunity to acknowledge 
the Receipt of the Letter which I received from you by him. I am 
Your most humble Servant 

Daetmotjthe 
Colonell Dudley 

On Jime 5, 1711, Jeremiah Dummer wrote to Governor Dudley as follows 

This Pacquett goes by Coll° Tayler who has the Queen's Commission for 
Leiutenn* Govemour of the Province. Coll" Nicholson's recommendation of 
him to My Lord Dartmouth, & His own putting in a Memorial that He had 
rais'd a regiment at liis own expence for Her Majestie's service at Port Royall, 
& had receiv'd no pay, was what procur'd him this honour. He never imparted 
his Design to me till it was almost done, & then I told him I could doc nothing 
in it, having no instructions about it (Massachusetts Historical Society, C. 71. 
I. 68). 

Under the heading "Colonel Wm. Taylor's Regt. of Foot," C. Dalton states 
that a commission was issued April 1, 1710, to "Wm. Taylor to be Colonel of a 
Regt. of Foot to be forthwith raised for her Majesty's Service in the West Indies 
(sic)," and adds this note: "A Colonial. Was sent by Genl. Nicholson to summon 
the French Commander to surrender Port Royal to the British 1 Oct. 1710. 
Not noticed in Appjeton's American Biography. Genl. Fras. Nicholson in his will 
dated 4 Mar. 1728 left Col. Wm. Taylor a mourning ring" (English Army Lists 
and Commission Registers, 1661-1714), vi. 285. Dalton has failed to identify 
"Wm. Taylor" as our Lieutenant-Governor Tailer. 

^ Council Records, v. 456. 

"On Wednesday arrived here Her Majesty's Ship Norwich, Capt. Studly 
Commander from Great Britaia with the Mast Fleet, but last from Li.-bon, in 
whom came the Honourable Col. Tailer, Lieut. Govemout of this Province" 
(Boston News Letter, October 8, 1711, p. 2/2). 



92 THE COLONIAL SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS [Maech, 

& subscribed the Test or Declaration, took the Oath of Abjuration & 
an oath for the faithfull discharge of their respective offices.^ 

Upon reading this Commission, Tailer propounded to the Council 
whether it did not make him Acting Governor, but the Council 
unanimously decided in the negative.^ When, however, an Exem- 
plification of Burges's Commission as Governor reached Boston on 
November 9, Tailer's Commission was again read in Council and he 
became Acting Governor.^ 

Tailer was commissioned Lieutenant-Governor by George II on 
April 15, 1730, and took the paths June 11.'* 

Tailer was Lieutenant-Governor from October 4, 1711, to October 
5, 1716; and from June 11, 1730, to his death on March 1, 1732.^ 
He was Acting Governor from November 9, 1715, to October 5, 
1716; and again from June 11 to August 10, 1730.® 

William Dummer was commissioned Lieutenant-Governor by 
George I in 1716, but the exact date is unknown.'' He was sworn 
October 5.^ 



^ Council Records, vi. 379. The Boston News Letter of October 17 said: 

Boston, His Majesty has been pleas'd to Commissionate the Honourable 
William Tailer Esq; Lieutenant Govemour of tliis Province, under His Excel- 
lency Col. Elizeus Burgess Esq; whose Commission bears Date the 17th of March 
last, and the Lieutenant Govemour's Commission being presented to His Ex- 
cellency Col Dudley and the Council, was read at the Council Board the 24th 
of last Month, and he had the proper Oaths administred Iiim, whereby he might 
be qualified to Act accordingly; wliich was omitted in our Publick News-Letter 
of the 26th of September past (p. 2/1). 

2 See pp. 61-62, above. 
* See p. 82, above. 

4 See pp. 71-72, above. 

5 "Yesterday in the Afternoon died at his Seat in Dorchester, the Honourable 
William Tailer, Esq; Lieut. Govemour of this Province. Aged 55 Years, wanting 
6 Days" (Boston News Letter, March 2, 1732, p. 2/2). 

6 See pp. 62, 71, 72, above. 

^ In the following announcements, the name of Jeremiah Dummer is of course 
an error for William Dummer: 

August 5. About this Time Jeremiah Dummer, Esq; was appointed Lieu- 
tenant-Governor of New-England (Historical Register, 1716, i. 359). 

Not many Days after [the beginning of August], his Royal Highness the 
Prince of Wales, was pleased to appoint Jeremiah Dummer Esq; to be Lieu- 
tenant Governor of New-England (PoUtical State of Great Britain, August, 
1716, xii. 156). 

^ See pp. 64-66, above. 



1913] DUIMMER INAUGURATED LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR, 1716, 1728 93 

Dummer was commissioned Lieutenant-Governor by George II on 
October 17, 1727, and was sworn on May 19, 1728: 

The Hon'"® W"» Dummer Esq' having rec^ His Majestys Commis- 
sion, bearing date y^ n'*" Oct"" 1727, continuing him Lieut* Governour 
of this His Majestys Province of y^ .Massachusetts Bay, y^ same was 
pubhshed at the Board, and then His Honour took the Oaths appointed 
by act of Parliament to be taken instead of the Oaths of Allegiance and 
Supremacy, repeated & subscribed the Test or Declarat° together -v^-ith 
the Oath of Abjuration & took an oath for the true & faithfull discharge 
of his said OfHce, as also the usual oath to take due care that y® sever* 
Acts referring to Na\'igation be observed.^ 

Dummer was Lieutenant-Governor from October 5, 1716, to June 
11, 1730. He was Acting Governor from January 2, 1723, to July 
19, 1728; and again from September 10, 1729, to June 11, 1730.2 

Spencer Phips ^ was commissioned Lieutenant-Governor by 
George II on April 29, 1732, and was sworn August 8: 

1 Council Records, ix. 37-38. 

2 See pp. 68, 71, above. The following extracts are taken from the originals 
in the library of the Massachusetts Historical Society: 

I am of your mind that some Gentlemen who set up for the onely Patriots, 
are far from being so, & it is my firm beleif that in the present Situation of Our 
Affairs the Govemour's friends are the true friends of the Countrey. You'l see 
by my PubUck letter that I have not conceal'd these sentiments, notwithstand- 
ing I beleive that my free expressing them will procure my Quietus this next 
session; especially if I may beleive Col° Tayler, that M"" Cook is the great Darling 
of his Coxmtrey, & carries what points he pleases in the Assembly. . . . Col° 
Tayler is putting in for my Brother's Commission, & by one method or another 
has rais'd a very considerable interest, yet I think I shall be able to defeat him. 
I can't think it proper that a man who does not so much as profess the least 
respect for our Excellent Governour, should be his Lieutenant (J. Dummer to 
E. Quincy, April 25, 1721, 91. M. 9). 

I have by every Ship given you an accoimt of the State of your affairs here, 
& M' Belcher, who is just on the point of sailing, will write you from Boston how 
it now stands. ... 

As for M"" Belcher, I have not convers'd with him lately, because He Join'd 
with my Lord Cobham a Relation to Col° Tayler in Boston, to get him into my 
Brother's place. I took no measures to oppose him, having my Brother's letter, 
wherein he Assur'd me He would not hold his Commission a minute after Bel- 
cher's arrival. And therefore I thought it improper to give my friends & my selfe 
trouble to no purpose. However I could not but resent the injury (J. Dummer to 
J. Talcott, May 19, 1730, 81. 1. 34). 

> On June 19, 1716, the House granted the petition of Spencer Bennet to 



94 THE COLONIAL SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS [Maech, 

The Hon*"® Spencer Phipps Esq' having received his Majesty's 
Commission bearing date at S* James's the twenty ninth day of April 
1732 appointing him Lieutenant Governour of this Province in the room 
of the late Hon^'^ William Taylor Dec"^ his Excellency ordered the same 
to be this day published in Council. Which was done in the manner 
following. 

The Drums beat and the Trumpets sounded about the Court House, 
and the Doors of the Council Chamber being set open, the Justices and 
Military Officers and other Gentlemen attended and the Commission 
was publicly read at the Board; and then His Honour took the oaths 
appointed by Act of Parliament to be taken instead of the oaths of al- 
legiance and Supremacy, repeated & subscribed the Test or Declaration 
and the Oath of abjuration, and took an oath for the faithful! discharge 
of his said Office of Lieut* Governour.^ 

Phips was Lieutenant-Governor from August 8, 1732, to his death 
on April 4, 1757.^ He was Acting Governor from September 15, 
1749, to August 7, 1753; and again from September 25, 1756, to April 
4, 1757.3 

Thomas Hutchinson was commissioned Lieutenant-Governor by 
George II on February 10, 1758, and was sworn on June Ist.^ The 
following extract is from the Boston Gazette of June 5th: 

Thursday last, a Commission appointing the Hon. Thomas Hutchinson 
Esq; Lieutenant-Go vernour of the Province of the Massachusetts-Bay, 
was publickly read at the Council-Chamber, before his Excellency the 
Governor, the Honourable his Majesty's Council, and the Honourable 
House of Representatives. 



change his name to Spencer Phips, and a bill to that effect was passed June 23: 
see Massachusetts House Journals, June 19, 22, 23, pp. 19, 23, 24; Massachusetts 
Province Laws, ii. 66, ix. 476. 

^ Council Records, ix. 374. August 8, 1734, is also the date given in Crown 
Commissions, 1628-1663, p. 35: see PubUcations of this Society, ii. 300. On 
the other hand there is in the Massachusetts Archives, xlviii. 498-499, a 
printed form containing (on inside pages) the oaths, which bears the autograph 
signature of " Spen'' Phips " and the endorsement " Sworn the 11*** Day of 
August 1732. Before me J Belcher," Belcher's signature being in autograph, 
while the other words are in the hand of Secretary Willard. 

2 See p. 78 note 1, above. 

3 See pp. 76, 77, above. 

* See Publications of this Society, ii. 302. In the Council Records (xiii. 404) 
for June 1, 1758, nothing is said about the oaths taken by Hutchinson. 



1913] ANDREW OLIVER INAUGUK\TED LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR, 1771 95 

As was also, at the same Time and Place, a Commission appointing 
the Hon. Andrew Oliver, Esq; Secretary of said Province (p. 3/1). 

Hutchinson was commissioned Lieutenant-Governor by George III 
on ]\Iarch 13, 1761, and was sworn November 26: 

Prov: of Mass" Bayl 

Nov^26: 1761 J 

Thomas Hutchinson Esq' appointed by his Majesty to be Lieutenant 
Governor, and Andrew Oliver Esq"" appointed to be Secretary of the 
Province aforesaid severally took the Oaths appointed by Act of Parlia- 
ment to be taken instead of the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy re- 
peated and Subscribed the Test or declaration therein contained together 
with the Oath of Abjuration and an Oath that they would respectively 
faithfully perform the Duties of the respective offices to which they 
are appointed as aforesaid according to the best of their Skill and 
Judgment. 

before me 

Fra Bernard * 

Hutchinson was Lieutenant-Governor from June 1, 1758, to March 
14, 1771. He was Acting Governor from June 3 to August 2, 1700; 
and again from August 2, 1709, to March 14, 1771.^ 

Andrew Oliver was commissioned Lieutenant-Governor by 
George HI on October 19, 1770, and was sworn March 14, 
1771: 

Province of 1 ^arch 14. 1771 

Mass" Bay J 

Andrew Oliver Esq"" appointed Lieutenant Governor of the Province 
aforesaid, took the Oaths appointed by Act of Parliament to be taken 
instead of the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy, repeated and sub- 
scribed the Test or declaration therein contained together with the 
Oath of Abjuration, and also an oath that he would faithfully perform 
the duties of the office aforesaid according to the best of his skill & 
Judgment 

Before 

T. Hutchinson ' 



1 Crown Commissions, 1628-1663, pp. 209-210. 

2 See pp. 81-82, 8-4-S.5, above. 

' Crown Commissions, 1677-1774, pp. 12-4-125. 



96 THE COLONIAL SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS [March, 

Andrew. Oliver was Lieutenant-Governor from March 14, 1771, to 
his death on March 3, 177-4.^ 

Thomas Oliver was commissioned Lieutenant-Governor by 
George III on May 28, 1774.^ He was sworn August 8, as appears 
from the following extract taken from the Boston Evening Post of 
August 15 (p. 3/1): 

Province of 



, r. I Salem, August 8, 1774. 

Massachusetts-Bay, ' 

HIS Majesty having been pleased to appoint the Hon. Thomas 
Oliver, Esq; to be Lieutenant Governor of this Pro\dnce; his 
Honor's Commission was accordingly this Day published in the Council 
Chamber, and the several Oaths administred to him, by his Excellency 
the Governor.^ After wliich the following Gentlemen took the Oaths 
necessary to qualify themselves for a Seat in the Coimcil, being appointed 
by Mandamus from his Majesty. 

Hon. Thomas Oliver, Esq; Lieut. Governor. 
Thomas Flucker, Esq; William Brown, Esq; 

Foster Hutchinson, Esq; James Boutineau, Esq; 

Harrison Gray, Esq; Joshua Loring, Esq; 

Joseph Lee, Esq; William Pepperrell, Esq; 

Isaac Winslow, Esq; John Erving, jun. Esq; 

Thomas Oliver was the last Royal Lieutenant-Goveirnor, and 
retired to Halifax when the British fleet left Boston in March, 
1776.4 



■' "Last Thursday Morning died here the Honorable Andrew Oli\':er, Esq; 
Lieutenant-Governor of this Province, in the 6Sth Year of his Age. — His Funeral 
is to be attended To-Morrow Afternoon, at Half past Three o'Clock, if the 
Weather permits" (Boston Evening Post, March 7, 1774, p. 3/1). 

^ The following extract is taken from the Essex Gazette of January 10, 1775: 

LONDON, October 25. 

MR. Thomas Oliver of Boston, was appointed Lieut. Governor of that 
Province in consequence of Richard Oliver giving the casting vote last 
year against Mr. Wilkes being Lord Mayor (p. 2/1). 

' Appended to Thomas Oliver's Commission as Lieutenant-Governor is the 
following (Crown Commissions 1677-1774, p. 156): 

Province of Mass* Bay 
Sworn before me in Council this 8 day of August 1774 

Tho^ Gage Governor. 

* 1 Proceedings Massachusetts Historical Society, xviii. 266. 



1913] ISAAC ADDINGTON COADkllSSIONED SECRETARY, 1691 97 

Secretaries 

In the Province Charter it was provided that "there shall be one 
Governour One Leivten' or Deputy Governour and One Secretary of 
Our said Province or Territory to be from time to time appointed 
and Commissionated by Vs Our Heires and Successors," and "Wee 
doe further by these presents Constitute and appoint Our Trusty and 
Welbeloved Isaac Addington Esquier to be Our first and present 
Secretary of Our said Province during Our Pleasure." ^ Of those 
three officials, Is.^ac Addington was the only one to be mentioned 
by name in the Charter. The facts that he was so named, that no 
copy of his Commission is extant, and that his Commission was not 
read when the Province government was inaugurated on ]May IG, 
1692, have apparently given rise to the notion that no Commission 
was issued to him. It is obvious, however, that Addington must have 
received a commission from William and ^lary; and if proof of this 
statement were needed, it is furnished by the following Instructions 
issued to him on December 11, 1691: 

To the Secretary of the Massachusetts Bay for Quarterly Accounts 
After Our hearty Commendations His Majesty having been Graciously 
pleased, b}' his Letters Patents under the Great Seal of England, to Grant 
unto you the Office and Place of Secretary of their Majesties Province 
of the Massachusetts Bay in New England. These are in his jMajesties 
name and by his Majesties Express Commands, to direct and require 
you and the Secretary' of Their Majesties said Province for the time being, 
to send unto Us a particular Account of all things that shall pass or be 
Transacted within Your said Office of Secretary. And Coppies of all 
such Laws Acts of Governm* and Publick Orders as shall be made from 
time to time, together with Copies of the Journals of y^ Councill and of 
all such papers as are or ought to be Entred and Register'd in your said 
Office, to the end We wliom his Majesty hath appointed a Committee 
of his Privy Councill for Trade and Forreign Plantation, may be the 
better Enabled to perform the duty incumbent on Us, which Accounts 
and Copies are to be Transmitted by you unto Us Quarterly, or at such 
times in the Year as any Oppertunity shall Offer, as also Duplicates 
thereof, by the next succeeding Conveyance. 

And that you and others whom it may Concern may at all times give 



See Publications of this Society, ii. 18. 



98 THE COLONIAL SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS [March, 

due Obedience hereunto, you are to make an Entry of this Our Letter 
in the Books belonging to the said Office of Secretary. Whereof you are 
not to fail. And so We bid you farewell from the Councill Chamber at 
Whitehall this Eleventh day of December 1691. 

Your loving Friends 

Carmarthen Presid* 
John Lowther 
H: PowLE 

m /^ T • T7 • J H. GOODRICK 

To Our Loving Fnend 

Isaac Addington Esq'' Secretary 

of Their Maj*^ Province of 

the Massachusetts Bay in 

New England in America.^ 

Hence Addington must have been commissioned on or before 
December 11, 1G91. On May 16, 1692, — 

Isaac Addington Secretary tooke his Oath for the due and faithful 
performance of his Office or place of Secretary, and the Oaths appointed 
to be taken instead of the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy; before 
the Gov'' and L* Governour.^ 

It is noteworthy that on the accession of Anne in 1702, no new 
Commission was issued to Addington; and perhaps this is explained 
by the fact that Addington was named in the Charter itself. In the 
controversy that took place early in 1715 as to who should administer 
the government,^ on a motion put by Addington himself on February 
4th, "The Council declared their opinion that the Secretarys Com- 
mission remained in force, having been so accepted during all the 
last reign & ordered him to countersign the Proclamaf^ and the 
said Proclamation was then published by beat of Drum sent to 
the Press & ordered to be dispersed into the several parts." ^ 

Addington was Secretary from May 16, 1692, until his death on 
March 19, 1715.^ 



1 Pubhc Record OfRce, Colonial Office, Clasa 5, Volume 906, p. 404. 

2 Council Records, ii. 168. 

3 See pp. 55-60, above. 

* Council Records, vi. 312. Cf. p. 59, above. 

5 "On Saturday last the 19th Currant, Died here about Eleven a Clock in 
the Forenoon, the truly Honourable and Very Worthy Isaac Addington, Esq; 
Secretary for His Majesty's Province of the Massachusetts-Bay in New England, 



1913] A. DAVENPORT AND P. DUDLEY TO KEEP THE SEALS, 1715 99 

Governor Dudley having reassumed the government on March 
21, 1715, on March 2Gth — 

The Governour acquainted the Council that he was purposed to give 
order to Addington Davenport & Paul Dudley Esq''' to take care of the 
Seals and the office of the Secretary Isaac Addington Esq'' lately deceased 
until His Majestys pleasure be known therein.' 

The order appointing Addington Davenport and Paul Dudley, 
also dated March 26, 1715, is as follows: 

Pro\'ince of the By His Excellency Joseph Dudley 

Massachusetts /^ ^v Esq'' Captain General and Governor 

Bay / & r 1 ^ Chief in and over His Majesty's 

y j Pro\'ince of the Massachusetts Bay in 

\^___^/ New England 

By Virtue of Her late Majesty's Commission for the Government of 
this Prov-ince, and the further Continuance thereof by His present Ma- 
jesty's Most Gracious Proclamation to me Directed I do hereby appoint 
and Direct Addington Davenport Esq"" and Paul Dudley Esq' Comis- 
sioners to keep His Majesty's Seal of this Pro\dnce under two locks each 
of them a key, and to put the Seal to all such Instruments of Publick or 
other Concern by Warrant under my hand, and no other, upon any pre- 
tence whatsoever And they shall further forthwith by the Service and 
Assistance of Joseph Hiller sworn Clerk of the Council, make out and 
draw forth a particular Accompt of all Books of Record and minute 
Books files and Records Utensills and other things belonging & apper- 
taining to His Majesty's Secretarys Office late in the hands and posses- 
sion of the Honourable Isaac Addington Esq' deceased, and shew the 
said Accompt to the Governour and Council as soon as may be And 
this Order to continue until His Majesty's Pleasure may arrive, or other 
Order taken therein 

Given under my hand and Seal at Boston this Twenty 
SLxth day of March Anno Domini 1715 And in the first 

who had with great Wisdom, Honour and Faithfulness served his Generation 
by the Will of GOD, in that Office for above Twenty years, being appointed 
thereto by the Late King William and Queen Mary of Glorious Memory, in their 
Roj'al Charter. He was born in New-England, and a great Honour to his Coun- 
try; he Dyed in the Seventy-first Year of his Age" (Boston News Letter, March 
21, 1715, p. 2/2). 

} Council Records, vi. 335-336. 



100 THE COLONIAL SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS [March, 

year of the Reign of Our Sovereign Lord King George 
over Great Britain &c 

J Dudley 
Boston 29*^ of March 1715 
The above named A: Davenport, P: Dudley Esq''^ and J Hiller Gen* 
were sworne to the faitlifull Discharge of the Trust Committed to the 
respectively in Pursuance of the Warrant above written 

before me 

J Dudley * 

Samuel Woodward was commissioned Secretary by George I on 
June 23, 1715. He reached Boston September 22,^ and on Sep- 
tember 23d — 

A Letter ^ from His Excellency Col° Burges (appointed Governour of 
this Province) to the Honourable the President & Council of the Province 
of the Massachusetts Bay brought by Sam*^ Woodward Esq'' appointed 
Secretary of this Province was read at the Board & M'' Secretary Wood- 
ward producing his Commission under the Broad Seal for Secretary 
of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay the Governour not being 
present 

Voted That Andrew Belcher & Addington Davenport Esq""^ be de- 
sired to wait on His Excellency at Roxbury & desire His Excellencys 
presence or directions on the affair in the afternoon.^ 

Woodward's commission was read in Council and he was sworn on 
September 24, 1715.^ On October 3, — 



1 Massachusetts Archives, xlviii. 427. The appointment of Davenport and 
Dudley was noted in the Boston News Letter of April 18, 1715 (p. 2/2). 

2 The Boston News Letter of September 26th said : 

Boston, On Thursday last . . . arrived in Capt. Parnell from London, Samuel 
Woodward, Esq; with a Commission from His Majesty, for the Secretary's Office 
of this Province of the Massachusetts-Bay; And on Saturday last, His Excellency 
the Governour came to Town, and in Council Administred the Oaths to him 
accordingly (p. 2/2). 

3 In this letter (printed in Sewall's Letter-Book, ii. 48-49), dated June 29, 
1715, Colonel Burges said: 

Mr. Woodward, who gives you this, is apointed your Secretary: I take the 
Liberty to recommend him most earnestly to you, because I know he is a very 
honest Gentleman, and very capable of doing you Service; and will do all he can 
to deserve your Friendship, and have your Favour. 

* Council Records, vi. 378-379. 
^ See p. 91, above. 



1913] JOSEPH AL\RION DEPUTED DEPUTY-SECRETARY, 1716 101 

An Inventory of all the Books Papers and Records Seals & Utensils 
belonging to the Secretary's Office made & taken by the Hon'''® Adding- 
ton Davenport Paul Dudley & Samuel Woodward Esq'* was read & 
signed by the s** M'' Secretary Woodward & the keys of the s*^ office with 
the aboves'' particulars were delivered by the Governour to the s'' M'' 
Secretary Woodward in Council Pursuant to His Majestys command 
in the Commission to him given under the Great Seal of Great Britain 
of Record in the s'^ Office. 

Andrew Belcher & Addington Davenport Esq''* are appointed a Com- 
mittee to give directions about a convenient place in one of the upper 
rooms in the Town House for the lodging of Files of Papers &°* wliich 
incumber the Secretarys office.^ 

On May 10, 1716, — 

Samuel Woodward Esq' Secretary of this Province humbly moved 
to the Hon'^'^ Lieut* Gov' and Council That the business of the office was 
so far behind hand & so mucli dayly encreasing that he could not even 
with liis utmost application and endeavour bring up the same without 
further assistance, and that according to the powers grant** in His ]\Ia- 
jestys Letters Patents to him for Secretary of this ProWnce, he proposed 
to depute M' Joseph Marion to be deputy Secretary of the said Prov- 
ince to which the Hon'''® Lieut* Governour & Council unanimously 
agreed & 

Ordered That the s^ Deputation should be read at the Board & put 
in the Secretarys office & s** Joseph Marion took the oaths appointed 
by act of Parliam* to be taken instead of the oaths of Allegiance & 
Supremacy repeated & subscribed the Declaration, took the oath of 
Abjuraf* and an oath for the true & faithfull discharge of his office as 
Deputy Secretary.^ 

On July 12, 171G, — 



^ Council Records, vi. 380. 

2 Council Records, vi. 448. The following extract is from the Boston News 
Letter of May 14, 1716: 

Boston, On Thursday the 10th of May Currant, by & with the Approbation 
and Consent of the Hon. Lieut. Governour, and Council, and by Vertue of the 
Power and Authority Granted by His Majesty King GEORGE to Mr. Secretary 
Woodward. Mr. Joseph Marion was by him appointed Deputy Secretary' of this 
Province; and his Deputation was read at the Council Board, and Ordered to 
be Recorded; and he then took the Oaths appointed by the Act of Parliament, 
as also an Oath for the true and faithful Discharge of his Duty in that Office 
(p. 2/2). (The deputation is not extant.) 



102 THE COLONIAL SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS [March, 

Samuel Woodward Esq'' Secretary of this His Majestys Province 
produced His Majestys Licence to absent himself e from the s^ Province 
for & during the term of twelve months which was read at the Board, 
And the Secretary signified to the Hon'^'^ Lieutenant Governour & 
Council that he should very speedily leave the Province & that he was 
ready to receive their commands home.^ 

Woodward was present at a Council meeting on August 3, 1716,^ 
after which his name disappears, and no doubt he sailed for England 
on or immediately after that date.^ 

JosiAH WiLLARD was commissioned Secretary by George I on 
June 17, 1717. He reached Boston on the 2d or 3d of December, 
1717,^ and took oflSce on the 4th: 



1 Council Records, vi. 486-487. In a letter to J. White dated May 9, 1716, 
Jeremiah Dummer said: "If your Secretary comes over (to whom the King's 
leave is gone by the last ships) pray tell me who is the fittest man for the Post 
among you, seeing you are resolved not to accept it yourself" (2 Proceedings 
Massachusetts Historical Society, iv. 193). 

2 Council Records, vi. 494-495. 

^ The exact date of his sailing is not recorded in Sewall's Diary or in the Boston 
News Letter. He took messages from the Lieutenant-Governor to the House, 
and appeared before the House, on August 3 ; but the announcement of the proro- 
gation of the House on that day was made to the House by Marion (Massachusetts 
House Journals, August 3, pp. 31-32); a proclamation issued by Lieutenant- 
Governor Tailer on August 3 was signed "Joseph Marion, Dep. Seer." (Boston 
News Letter, August 13, p. 1/1); and a proclamation issued by Tailer on Sep- 
tember 5 was signed "Jos*^ Marion Dep Secry" (Court Records, x. 91). Many 
vessels sailed from Boston to London during August and September, but it seems 
not unlikely that Woodward went by the Dorothy: 

"Cleared Outwards, . . . The Ship Dorothy, Capt. Josiah Thwaites Com- 
mander for London" (Boston News Letter, August 6, p. 2/2). 

" Marblehead, Aug. 18. A Fishing Shallop is come in here who brought Let- 
ters from Capt. Thwaites bound from Boston to London: The Shallop met him 
75 Leagues off" (Boston News Letter, August 20, p. 2/2). 

4 The Boston News Letter of December 9, 1717, stated that "On Thursday 
last arrived here Capt. John Osborne in the Ship Patience and Judeth about 
Seven Weeks from London, in whom came Josiah Willard Esq; with a Commission 
from His Majesty for the Secretary's Office of this Province of the Massachusetts 
Bay: unto whom in CouncU before His Excellency the Governour, the Oaths 
for the said Post have accordingly been Administred" (p. 2/2). "Thursday 
last" was December 5th, and hence an error on the part of the news- writer for 
"Tuesday last," or possibly "Monday last." Under date of December 3d 
Sewall writes: "Visit Mr. Secretary Willard, who came to Town last night from 
Cape-Anne, where he arriv'd on the Lord's Day, 7. Weeks from the Downs" 
(Diary, ii. 151). 



1913] JOSIAH WILLARD INAUGURATED SECRETARY, 1717, 1728 103 

His Majestys Commission or Letters Pattents dated at Westminster 
the seventeenth day of June in the third year of His Majestys reign con- 
stitute Joseph ^ WilJard Esq'' Secretary of this His Majestys Province 
of the Massachusetts Bay was read & pubUsh"^ Then M'' Secretary took 
the oaths appointed by Act of ParHament passed in the first year of the 
reign of King WiUiam & Queen Mary to be taken instead of the Oaths 
of Allegiance & Supremcay unto his present Majesty King George, & 
repeatetl & subscribed the Declaration by the same Act appointed, also 
took an oath for the due & faithfull performance of his duty in the office 
& place of Secretary of the s*^ Province, And the Council advised to the 
making His Majestys s^ Letters Patent of publick record accordingly 

Ordered That Joseph IMarion Deputy Secretary to Sam' Woodward 
Esq'' late Secretary of this Province, with all convenient speed make de- 
livery of all publick records books & records of the Council & Assembly 
with the Seal of the Province, enrowlment of the Laws and Files of Papers 
& all utensils Sc°^ of & belonging to the s'^ Secretarys Office 

And that the s*^ M' Secretary Willard pass a receipt therefore in dis- 
charge to the s*^ M"^ Marion accordingly .^ 

Willard was commissioned Secretary by George II on March 28, 
1728, and was sworn on June 18: 

Josiah Willard Esq'' haveing His Majestys Letters Patents, under the 
Great Seal of G* Britain bearing date at Westminster the tM^enty eighth 
of March 1728, constituting him Secretary to His Maty^ Province of 
the Massachusetts Bay, His Majesty's Commission was read at the Board. 
And then the s*^ Josiah Willard took the Oaths appointed by Act of Par- 
liam* to be taken instead of the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy, 
repeated & subscribed the Test or Declaration in y® said Act, together 
with the Oath of abjuration and likewise took an oath for the true and 
faithful performance of his said oflBce of Secretary of this Province.' 

Willard was Secretary from December 4, 1717, mitil his death on 
December 7, 1756.^ 



* Error for "Josiah." 

2 Council Records, vi. 526-527. 
» ix. 58. 

* "Last Tuesday Morning died here to the great Loss of this Town and 
Province, in the 76th Year of his Age, that extraordinary, accomplished, pious 
and publick-spirited Gentleman, the Honourable JOSIAH '\^^ILLARD Esq; 
Secretary to this Province near 40 Years, and late Judge of Probate for the County 
of Suffolk, which, on account of his other growing, weighty and laborious Busi- 
ness, he earnestly resigned some Years since; as also his Place at the Council- 



104 THE COLONIAL SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS [March, 

On December 7, 1756, the Council took the following action: 

It having pleased Almighty God in his Holy Providence to remove 
the Hon*''^ Josiah Willard Esq'' the late Worthy and Faithfull Secretary 
of this Province by Death, whereby that Office is become Vacant, and 
it being necessary that some meet Person be appointed to officiate as 
Clerk of the Council until his Majesty shall be pleased to appoint & 
Commissionate some person to the Office of Secretary agreeable to the 
Royal Charter Therefore 

Ordered that M"" Thomas Clarke^ be appointed Clerk of his Majestys 
Council until a Secretary be appointed as aforesaid or until the further 
order of this Board, and that he be Impowered & directed forthwith 
to take into his Custody & care as well the Publick Seal of the Province 
as the public Records & Papers, and to do & Transact the Business 
proper to such Office of Clerk of Council, & to be under the Obligation 
of an Oath for the faithfull Discharge of said Trust. 
By Order of Council 
Francis Foxcroft Consented to S Phips ^ 

On December 13th Lieutenant-Governor Phips, then Acting Gov- 
ernor, appointed Andrew Oliver Secretary: 

His Honour the Lieutenant Governour appointed the Hon*"® Andrew 
Oliver Esq'' to be Secretary of the Province in the Room of the late Hon^^® 
Josiah Willard Esq'' deced until his IMajestys pleasure should be known.' 

And on December 15 Andrew Ohver took the oaths of office: 

The Hon**'^ Andrew Oliver Esq'' Secretary of the Province took the 
Oaths appointed by Act of Parliament to be Taken instead of the Oaths 
of Allegiance & Supremacy Repeated and Subscribed the Test or Dec- 
laration in the said Act contained, together with the Oath of Abjuration, 



Board the last Year, on account of his advanc'd Age, to the Reluctance of his 
Country: . . ." (Boston Gazette, December 13, 1756, p. 2/1). / 

^ Thomas Clarke was Deputy-Secretary. 

^ Council Records, xiii. 143. 

^ Council Records, xiii. 145. The following extract is from the Boston Even- 
ing Post of December 20, 1756: 

His Honour the Lieutenant Governor hath, by virtue of his Majesty's Royal 
Commission, appointed and commissioned the Hon. ANDREW OLIVER, 
Esq; to be Secretary sf this Province in the room and stead of the Hon. JOSIAH 
■WILLARD, Esq.; deceas'd, until his Majesty shall be pleased otherwise to order 
and appoint; or until the further Order of the Commander in Chief of this Prov- 
ince for the Time being (p. 2/1), 



1913] A. OLIVER AND T. FLUCKER, SECRETARIES, 1758, 1771 105 

and an Oath appointed by a Law of the Province respecting the Reciev- 
ing & paying the Bills of Publick Credit of the neighbouring Govern- 
ments within this Pro\dnce ^ & entered into the Execution of his Office 
after having taken an Oath for the faitlifull Discharge of the same.^ 

Andrew Oliver was commissioned Secretary by George II on 
March 2, 1758, and was sworn June Ist.^ He was commissioned 
Secretary by George III on April 10, 1761, and was sworn November 
2Gth.^ He retained the office of Secretary until March 11, 1771. 

Thomas Flucker was commissioned Secretary by George III on 
November 12, 1770, and was sworn March 11, 1771: 

J''''^T ""^ 1 Boston IV^ March 1771 
Massa^ isay J 

Thomas Flucker Esq"" %\-ithin named took the Oaths appointed by 
Act of Parliament to be taken instead of the Oaths of alligiance & 
supremacy, repeated & subscribed the Test or Declaration therein con- 
tained, together vvith the Oath of Abjuration ; and also an Oath, that he 
would faithfully discharge the Duties of the Office of Secretary of the 
said Provdnce^ 

Flucker was the last Royal Secretary, and left Boston with General 
Gage on October 10, 1775.^ 

1 An Act for the effectual preventing the Currency of the Bills of Credit of 
Connecticut, New Hampshire and Rhode Island, within this Province, passed 
December 27, 1753, published January 26, 1754 (Massachusetts Province Laws, 
iii. 714-716). 

2 Council Records, xiii. 145-146. 

' In the CouncU Records (xiii. 404) for June 1, 1758, nothing is said about the 
oaths taken by Oliver. Appended to Oliver's Commission as Secretary (Crown 
Commissions, 162^1663, p. 166) is the following: 

Province of Mass* Bay — June 1. 1758 
Sworn in Council 

Before T. Pownall Gov'' 

* See p. 95, above. In the Council Records (xv. 66) for November 2G, 1761, 
nothing is said about the oaths taken by Oliver. 

5 CrowTi Commissions, 1677-1774, p. 118. In the Council Records (xvi. 
532-534) for March 11, 1771, nothing is said about the oaths taken by 
Flucker. 

* Cf. p. 87 note 1, above. The following paragraph appeared in the Boston 
Gazette of October 23, 1775: 

THOM. GAGE, on the Third Instant (5 or 6 Days before hLs Departure for 
England,) issued a Proclamation, offering a Reward of TEN GUINEAS, to 



106 



THE COLONIAL SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS 



[March, 



VI 

LISTS 

In this section the material is summarized in the following lists: 

A Chronological List of Commissions, 1681-1774 

B Alphabetical List of Commissions, 1681-1774 

C List of Officials, 1685-1775 

D Sovereigns of England, 1603-1776 



CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF COMMISSIONS 
1681-1774 



1681 


Oct. 15 


Edward Randolph 


Collector, etc. 


1685 


Sept. 21 


Edward Randolph 


Secretary, etc. 


1685 


Oct. 8 


Joseph Dudley 


President 


1685 


Nov. 13 


Joseph Dudley 


Vice-Admiral 


1686 


June 3 


Sir Edmund Andros 


Governor 


1686 




Sir Edmund Andros 


Vice-Admiral 


1688 


April 7 


Sir Edmimd Andros 


Governor j 
Lieutenant-Governor 


1688 


April 20 


Francis Nicholson 


1688 


April 25 


Edward Randolph 


Secretary, etc. 


1688 


April 30 


Sir Edmund Andros 


Vice-Admiral 


1691 


Dec. 12 


Sir William Phips 


Governor 


1691 


Dec. 29 


Sir Wilham Phips 


Vice-Admiral 


1691 


Dec. 


WUUam Stoughton 


Lieutenant-Governor 


1691 


Dec. 


Isaac Addington 


Secretary i 


1697 


June 18 


Earl of Bellomont 


Governor 


1698 


Oct. 10 


Earl of Bellomont 


Vice-Admiral 


1702 


Feb. 13 


Joseph Dudley 


Governor 


1702 


Feb. 26 


Joseph Dudley 


Vice-Admiral 


1702 


April 1 


Joseph Dudley 


Governor 


1702 


April 11 


Thomas Povey 


Lieutenant-Governor 


1711 




Wilham Tailer 


Lieutenant-Governor 


1715 


March 17 


EUzeus Burges 


Governor 


1715 


March 22 


Ehzeus Burges 


Vice-Admiral 


1715 


April 28 


Wilham Tailer 


Lieutenant-Governor 



any one who shall discover the Thief or Thieves, that some Time in the Month 
of September last stole from the Council Chamber in Boston, the Public SEAL, 
his -private SEAL, and the SEAL of the Supreme Court of Probate of the Prov- 
ince. — Quere, Whether as he carried his Secretary, T. Flucker, with him, 'tis 
not as likely that he might have carried them off, as any one else? (p. 3/2). 



1913] 



LIST OF COXmiSSIONS, 1681-1774 



107 



DATE 


NAHO 


OFFICE 


1715 


June 23 


Samuel Woodward 


Secretary 


1716 


June 13 


Samuel Shute 


Vice-Admiral 


1716 


June 15 


Samuel Shute 


Governor 


1716 




William Dummer 


Lieutenant-Governor 


1717 


June 17 


Josiah Willard 


Secretary 


1727 


Oct. 17 


William Dummer 


Lieutenant-Governor 


l!'28 


March 7 


William Burnet 


Governor 


1728 


March 14 


William Burnet 


Vice-Admiral 


1728 


March 28 


Josiah Willard 


Secretary 


1730 


Jan. 28 


Jonathan Belcher 


Governor 


1730 


March 2 


Jonathan Belcher 


Vice-Admiral 


1730 


April 15 


WilHam Tailer 


Lieutenant-Governor 


1732 


April 29 


Spencer Phips 


Lieutenant-Governor 


1741 


May 25 


William Shirley 


Governor 


1741 


Aug. 21 


WilUam Shirley 


Vice-Admiral 


1757 


Feb. 25 


Thomas Pownall 


Governor 


1757 


Feb. 28 


Thomas Po^NTiali 


Vice-Admiral 


1758 


Feb. 10 


Thomas Hutchinson 


Lieutenant-Governor 


1758 


March 2 


Andrew Oliver 


Secretary 


1760 


Jan. 14 


Francis Bernard 


Governor 


1760 


Feb. 12 


Francis Bernard 


Vice-Admiral 


1761 


March 13 


Thomas Hutchinson 


Lieutenant-Governor 


1761 


April 4 


Francis Bernard 


Governor 


1761 


AprU 10 


Andrew Oliver 


Secretary 


1761 


May 18 


Francis Bernard 


Vice-Admiral 


1770 


Oct. 19 


Andrew OUver 


Lieutenant-Governor 


1770 


Nov. 12 


Thomas Flucker 


Secretary 


1770 


Nov. 28 


Thomas Hutchinson 


Governor 


1771 


Jan. 4 


Thomas Hutchinson 


Vice-Admiral 


1774 


April 5 


Thomas Gage 


Vice-Admiral 


1774 


April 7 


Thomas Gage 


Governor 


1774 


May 28 


Thomas Oliver 


Lieutena,Tit-Govemor 



B 

ALPHABETICAL LIST OF COMMISSIONS 

1681-1774 



Addington, Isaac 
Andros, Sir Edmund 



Belcher, Jonathan 
Bellomont, Earl of 



Secretary 

Governor 

Vice-Admiral 

Governor 

Vice-Admiral 

Governor 

Vice-Admiral 

Governor 

Vice-Admiral 



1691 Dec. 

1686 June 3 

1686 

1688 April 7 

1688 April 30 

1730 Jan. 28 

1730 March 2 

1697 June 18 

1698 Oct. 10 



lOS 



THE COLONIAL SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS 



[March, 



NAME 


OFFICE 




DATE 


Bernard, Francis 


Governor 


1760 


Jan. 14 




Vice-Admiral 


1760 


Feb. 12 




Governor 


1761 


April 4 




Vice-Admiral 


1761 


May 18 


Burges, Elizeus 


Governor 


1715 


March 17 




Vice Admiral 


1715 


March 22 


Burnet, William 


Governor 


1728 


March 7 




Vice-Admiral 


1728 


March 14 


Dudley, Joseph 


President 


1685 


Oct. 8 




Vice-Admiral 


1685 


Nov. 13 




Governor 


1702 


Feb. 13 




Vice-Admiral 


1702 


Feb. 26 




Governor 


1702 


April 1 


Dummer, William 


Lieutenant-Governor 


1716 






Lieutenant-Governor 


1727 


Oct. 17 


Flucker, Thomas 


Secretary 


1770 


Nov. 12 


Gage, Thomas 


Vice-Admiral 


1774 


April 5 




Governor 


1774 


April 7 


Hutchinson, Thomas 


Lieutenant-Governor 


1758 


Feb. 10 




Lieutenant-Governor 


1761 


March 13 




Governor 


1770 


Nov. 28 




Vice-Admiral 


1771 


Jan. 4 


Nicholson, Francis 


Lieutenant-Governor 


16S8 


April 20 


Oliver, Andrew- 


Secretary 


1758 


March 2 




Secretary 


1761 


April 10 




Lieutenant-Governor 


1770 


Oct. 19 


Oliver, Thomas 


Lieutenant-Governor 


1774 


May 28 


Phips, Spencer 


Lieutenant-Governor 


1732 


April 29 


Phips, Sir William 


Governor 


1691 


Dec. 12 




Vice-Admiral 


1691 


Dec. 29 


Povey, Thomas 


Lieutenant-Governor 


1702 


April 11 


Pownall, Thomas 


Governor 


1757 


Feb. 25 




Vice-Admiral 


1757 


Feb. 28 


Randolph, Edward 


Collector, etc. 


1681 


Oct. 15 




Secretary, etc. 


1685 


Sept. 21 




Secretary, etc. 


1688 


April 25 


Shirley, William 


Governor 


1741 


May 25 




Vice-Admiral 


1741 


Aug. 21 


Shute, Samuel 


Vice-Admiral 


1716 


June 13 




Governor 


1716 


June 15 


Stoughton, William 


Lieutenant-Governor 


1691 


Dec. 


TaUer, William 


Lieutenant-Governor 


1711 






Lieutenant-Governor 


1715 


April 28 




Lieutenant-Governor 


1730 


April 15 


Willard, Josiah 


Secretary 


1717 


June 17 




Secretary 


1728 


March 28 


Woodward, Samuel 


Secretary 


1715 


June 23 



1913] 



LIST OF OFFICIALS, 1685-1775 



109 



LIST OF OFFICIALS 

1685-1775 

COUNCIL FOR NEW ENGLAND, 1685-1686 

President 

COMMISSIONED TOOK OFFICE LEFT OFFICE 



Joseph Dudley 



1685 Oct. 8 



1686 May 25 1686 Dec. 20 



William Stoughton 



Deputy-President 

1686 May 26 1686 Dec. 20 



TERRITORY AND DOMINION OF NEW ENGLAND, 1686-1689 

Governor 

Sir Edmund Andros 1686 June 3 1686 Dec. 20 

16i>S April 7 

Lieutenant-Governor 
Francis Nicholson 1688 April 20 1688 July 19 

Secretary 

Edward Randolph 1685 Sept. 21 1686 July 1 

1688 April 25 



PROVINCE OF THE MASSACHUSETTS BAY, 1691-1775 
Governors 

Sir William Phips 1691 

Williain Stoughton 

Earl of Bellomont 1697 

William Stoughton 

The Council 

Joseph Dudley 1702 

The Council 

Eiizeus Burges 1715 

Joseph Dudley 

Williajn Toiler 

Samuel Shute 1716 

William Dummer 

William Burnet 1728 



Dec. 12 


1692 


May 16 


1694 


Nov. 17 




1694 


Dec. 4 


1699 


May 26 


June 18 


1699 


May 26 


1700 


July 17 




1700 


July 22 


1701 


July 7 




1701 


July 10 


1702 


June 11 


April 1 


1702 


June 11 


1715 


Feb. 4 


' 


1715 


Feb. 4 


1715 


March 21 


March 17 












1715 


March 21 


1715 


Nov. 9 




1715 


Nov. 9 


1716 


Oct. 5 


June 15 


1716 


Oct. 5 


1723 


Jan. 1 




1723 


Jan. 2 


1728 


July 19 


March 7 


1728 


July 19 


1729 


Sept. 7 



110 



THE COLONIAL SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS [March, 



NAUB 


COMMISSIONED 


TOOK OFFICE 


LEFT OFFICE 


William Dummer 






1729 


Sept. 10 


1730 


June 11 


William Tailer 






1730 


June 11 


1730 


Aug. 10 


Jonathan Belcher 


1730 


Jan. 28 


1730 


Aug. 10 


1741 


Aug. 14 


WilUam Shirley 


1741 


May 25 


1741 


Aug. 14 


1749 


Sept. 11 


Spencer Phips 






1749 


Sept. 15 


1753 


Aug. 7 


William Shirley 






1753 


Aug. 7 


1756 


Sept. 25 


Spencer Phips 






1756 


Sept. 25 


1757 


April 4 


The Council 






1757 


April 5 


1757 


Aug. 3 


Thomas Pownall 


1757 


Feb. 25 


1757 


Aug. 3 


1760 


June 3 


Thomas Hutchinson 






1760 


June 3 


1760 


Aug. 2 


Francis Bernard 


1760 


Jan. 14 


1760 


Aug. 2 








1761 


April 4 






1769 


Aug. 1 


Thomas Hutchinson 






1769 


Aug. 2 


1771 


March 14 


Thomas Hutchinson 


1770 


Nov. 28 


1771 


March 14 


1774 


May 17 


Thomas Gage 


1774 


April 7 


1774 


May 17 








LIEUTENANT-GOVEENOBS 






William Stoughton 


1691 


Dec. 


1692 


May 16 


1701 


July 7 


Thomas Povey 


1702 


April 11 


1702 


June 11 


1706 


Jan. 28 


Wilham Tailer 


1711 




1711 


Oct. 4 








1715 


April 28 






1716 


Oct. 5 


WiUiam Dummer 


1716 




1716 


Oct. 5 








1727 


Oct. 17 






1730 


June 11 


William TaUer 


1730 


April 15 


1730 


June 11 


1732 


March 1 


Spencer Phips 


1732 


April 29 


1732 


Aug. 8 


1757 


April 4 


Thomas Hutchinson 


1758 


Feb. 10 


1758 


June 1 








1761 


March 13 






1771 


March 14 


Andrew Oliver 


1770 


Oct. 19 


1771 


March 14 


1774 


March 3 


Thomas Oliver 


1774 


May 28 


1774 


Aug. 8 










Seceetaries 








Isaac Addington 


1691 


Dec. 


1692 


May 16 


1715 


March 19 


Samuel Woodward 


1715 


June 23 


1715 


Sept. 24 


1716 


Aug. 3 


Josiah Willard 


1717 


June 17 


1717 


Dec. 4 








1728 


March 28 






1756 


Dec. 7 


Andrew Oliver 


1758 


March 2 


1756 


Dec. 15 








1761 


April 10 






1771 


March 11 


Thomas Flucker 


1770 


Nov. 12 


1771 


March 11 







D 

SOVEREIGNS OF ENGLAND, 1603-1776 

James I succeeded 1603 March 24 

died 1625 March 27 

Charles I succeeded 1625 March 27 

executed 1649 Jan. 30 



1913] 



SOVEREIGNS OF ENGL.VXD, 1603-1776 



111 



Charles II proclaimed in Edinburgh 

" in Westminster Hall 

" in PljTiiouth 
" in Boston 
died 

James II sucooeded 

proclaimed in Boston 

in Plymouth 
fled from Whitehall 
left England 
died 

William III and Mart II accepted the crown 
proclaimed in Boston 

Wilham landed in England 
Marj' II died 
WiUiam III died 



Anne 



George I 



George II 



George III 



succeeded 

proclaimed in Boston 
died 

succeeded 

proclaimed in Boston 
died 

succeeded 

I»rocl:iimed in Boston 
died 

succeeded 

proclaimed in Boston 
died 



1649 


Feb. 5 


1660 


May 8 


1661 


June 5 ^ 


1661 


Aug. 8 * 


1685 


Feb. 6 


1685 


Feb. 6 


1685 


April 20 » 


1685 


April 24 « 


1688 


Dec. 11 


1688 


Dec. 23 


1701 


Sept. 6 


1689 


Feb. 13 


1689 


May 29 « 


1688 


Nov. 5 


1694 


Dec. 28 


1702 


March 8 


1702 


March 8 


1702 


May 29 « 


1714 


Aug. 1 


1714 


Aug. 1 


1714 


Sept. 22 7 


1727 


June 11 


1727 


June 11 


1727 


Aug. 16 8 


1760 


Oct. 25 


1760 


Oct. 25 


1760 


Dec. 30 » 


1820 


Jan. 29 



* Plymouth Colony Records, xi. 129, 144. 

2 Massachusetts Colony Records, vol. iv. pt. ii. pp. 30-31; Diarj- of John 
Hull, Transactions and Collections American Antiquarian Society (1857), iii. 
203-204; 3 Massachusetts Historical Collections, i. 52-53. 

' See p. 4 note 1, above. 

* See p. 4 note 1, above. ^ See p. 56 note 2, above. 
' See p. 24 note 2, above. * See p. 69 note 2, above. 

* See p. 52 note 2, above. ' See p. 82 note 2, above. 



INDEX 



ilDDINGTON, Sec. Isaac, 2, 14 n, 
15 /(, 16, 17, 21, 35 n, 46, 54, 59, 89 n, 
99, 106, 107, 110; appointed clerk of 
Council, 1689, 17, 23; chosen and 
sworn Secretary, 1689, 26; 1690, 27; 
1691-1692, 28; named Secretary in 
Province Charter, 97; instructions 
to, 1691,97; sworn, 1692, 98; death, 
98 n-99 n 

Alborough, John. See Albro, John 

Albro John, {d 1712), 32, 35, 36, 36 n 

Alcock, Job, 35, 36, 36 n, 39 n, 46 

Alcott, Job. See Alcock, Job 

Allen, Daniel, 14 

John. See Allyn, John 

Allin, Daniel. See Allen, Daniel 

Allyn, John, Sec. of Ct., 34, 35, 36, 
36 n 

Andros, Gov. Sir Edmund, 6 n, 7 «, 9 n, 
11 n, 13, 14 n, 15 n, 16 n, 17, 22, *24, 
28, 28 n, 29 n, 32, 33, 33 n, 34, 37 n, 
38 n, 42 n, 43 n, 106, 107, 109; 
sworn, 1686, 7-8, 8 n; commissioned, 
1688, 9; overthrown, 1689, 14-16; 
members of his Council, 1686-1688, 
32-34; 1688-1689, 34-35 

Andros Records, 8 n 

Anne, Queen, 53, 54, 58, 60, 89, 90, 90 n, 
111; proclaimed in Boston, 1702, 
52 n-53 n; death, 55-56, 56 n 

Appleton, John {d 1739), 59 

Samuel {d 1696), 21, 23, 35, 36, 46 

Samuel (d 1725), son of Samuel 

(d 1696), 59 

Arnold, Richard {d 1710), 15 n, 32, 35, 
36 

Ashurst, Sir Henry, 35 n 



B 



AKER, Thomas, 7 
Balston, Capt. John, 33 n 
Baxter, Jarvis, 35, 36, 42 n, 43 n 



Bayard, Nicholas, 35, 36, 36 n, 43 n; 

quoted, 10 n 
Belcher, Andrew (d 1717), 18, 24, .59, 

100, 101 
Gov. Jonathan, son of Andrew 

{d 1717), 63 n, 74, 75, 76, 93 n, 94 n, 

107, 110; arrives, 1730, 72; reported 

to have been knighted, 72 n-73 n; 

sworn, 73-74 
Bellingham, Penelope (Pelham), wife of 

Gov. Richard, 53 n 
Bellomont, Earl of. See Coote, Richard 
Bennet, Spencer. See Phips, Spencer 
Bernard, Gov. Sir Francis, 82 «, 83 n, 

95, 107, 108, 110; arrives, 1760, 82, 

84 n; sworn, 83; leaves, 1769, 84, 

84 re 
Bishop, Capt. Thomas, 86 n 
Blathwayt, William {d 1717), 30, 40 n, 

42 n 

Bond, William (d 1697), 18 
Boutineau, James, 96 
Bowdoin, Gov. James, 87 
Boydell, John {d 1739), 68 n, 70 n 
Bradford, William {d 1704), Dep.-Gov. 
of New Plymouth, 29 n, 32, 35, 36, 

36 n, 46 

Bradstreet, Dudley {d 1702), son of 
Gov. Simon, 18, 30, 31, 32, 37, 37 n 

Gov. Simon, 3, 3 n, 4 7), 6 n, 16, 

17, 21, 24, 24 n, 26, 30, 31, 32, 35, 37, 

37 n, 48 n; chosen Governor, 16S6, 
4; 1690-1092, 27-28; President of 
Council, 1689, 17, 23; sworn Gov- 
ernor, 1689, 25-26 

Brattle, William (d 1775), 79, 86 

Brenley. See Brinlev 

Brenton, Jahleel {d 1732), 48 

Brinley, Francis, 33 

Brookholes, Anthony, 35, 37,' 37 n, 42 n, 

43 n - 
Bromfield, Edward (d 1734), 59 



114 



INDEX 



Brown, Horatio Forbes, 60 n 

William. See Browne, William 

Browne, Capt. , 10 n 

William (d 1716), 15 n, 16, 16 n, 

17, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 37, 37 n 

William {d 1802), 96 

Buckley (Buckly). See Bulkley 
Bulkley, Peter (d 1688), 30, 32, 35, 37, 

37 n 

Bullivant, Dr. Benjamin, 14 n, 49 
Burges, Gov. Elizeus, 53 n, 92, 92 n, 
106, 108, 109; notice of, 60 ?i; com- 
missioned, 1715, 60; letters from, 61, 
. 100 n; resigns, 1716, 62; rumors of 

his coming, 62 n-63 n 
Burnet, Gov. William, sworn, 1728, 70; 

death, 1729, 71, 71 n, 107, 108, 109 
Burrill, John (d 1721), 65, 65 n 
Burrington, Capt. Thomas, 52 n, 53 n 
Byfield, Nathaniel {d 1733), 49, 54, 69 n 

Callahan, Capt. John, 86 

Campbell, Capt. James, 80 n 

John, fourth Earl of Loudoun, 80 n 

Carmarthen, Marquis of. See Osborne, 

Sir Thomas 
Champernoon, Francis (d 1687), 30, 31, 

32 37 37 n 
Chandler, John (d 1743), 67 
John (d 1762), eon of John (d 1743), 

79,80 
Charles I, 3, 110 
Charles II, 6, 10, 10 n, 11, 11 n, 69, 71, 

72, 73, 75, 76, 111 
Checkley, John, 70 n 
Cheever, Ezekiel (d 1770), 80 
Clap, Thomas {d 1774), 81 
Clark, John (d 1728), 59 

Clarke, , 67 

John. See Clark, John 

- — Nathaniel (d 1717), 15 n, 32, 35, 

37 
Dep.-Sec. Thomas (d 1760), 104, 

104 n 
Walter {d 1714), 32, 35, 37, 37 n, 

38 n 

Cobham, Lord. See Temple, Richard 
Coggeshall, John (d 1647), Pres. of R. I., 

38 n 
John (d 1708), son of John (d 1647), 

32, 35, 38 
Commissions, 1681-1774, chronological 

list of, 106-107; alphabetical list of, 

107-108 



Cooke, Elisha (d 1715), 16, 17, 21, 23, 
50 

■ Elisha (d 1737), son of Elisha 

(d 1715), 67, 93 n 

Coote, Gov. Richard (d 1701), first Earl 
of Bellomont, 106, 107, 109; quoted, 
38 n, 44 n; sworn, 49-50; arrives, 
49 n; leaves, 50; death, 50, 50 n, 52 

Cortlandt, Stephen van. See Van 
Cortlandt, Stephen 

Corwin. See Curwin 

Council, Dudley's, 1685-1686, 29-32; 
Andros's, 1686-1688,32-34; Andros's, 
1688-1689, 34-35; under Province 
Charter, 1691, 35; list of, 1685-1691, 
36-44 

Courtland. See Van Cortlandt, Stephen 

Coward, John Herbert, 15 n 

Coxhill (Coxshell). See Coggeshall 

Curwin, Jonathan (d 1718), 33, 35, 38, 
38 n, 46, 50 

Cushing, John (d 1778), 80 

Cutler, Rev. Timothy (d 1765), 70 n 

Cutt, Richard, 79, 80 



D 



ANBY, Earl of. See Osborne, Sir 

Thomas 
Danforth, Samuel (d 1777), 79, 86, 87 

Dep.-Gov. Thomas, 16, 17, 21, 23, 

24, 50; chosen Dep. -Governor, 1686, 
4; 1689, 25; 1690-1692, 27-28 
Daniell, Samuel. See Donnell, Samuel 
Dartmouth, Earl of. See Legge, Wil- 
liam 
Davenport, Addington (d 1736), 57, 59, 
66, 69 n, 100 n, 101 ; appointed with 
P. Dudley to keep the Seals, 1715, 
99-100; sworn, 100 
Davis, Silvanus (d 1703), 35, 38, 39 n, 

45, 46 
Dongan, Thomas, Gov. of N. Y., 10 n, 

42 n, 43 n 
Donkin, Capt. Robert, 88 n 
Donnell, Samuel (d 1718), 35, 38, 39 n, 

46 
Downing, Sir George, 11 n 
Drucker, Lucy, 33 n, 35 n, 64 n 
Dudley, Pres. and Gov. Joseph, 4, 4 n, 
6 71, 7 n, 11 n, 13 n, 14 n, 15 n, 29, 30, 
30 n, 32, 32 n, 35, 37 n, 38, 38 n, 52, 
53 n, 56 n, 61, 66, 89 n, 90, 91 n, 92 n, 
100, 100 n, 106, 108, 109; sworn 
President, 1686, 5-6; members of his 
Council, 1685-1686, 29-32; arrives, 



INDEX 



115 



Dudley (continued) 

1702, 53; sworn Governor, 54-55; 
controversy between Council and, 
1715, 55-60; superseded, 62, 65; 
appoints A. Davenport and P. Dud- 
ley to keep the Seals, 1715, 99 

Paul (rf 1751), son of Gov. Joseph, 

100 It, 101; appointed with A. Daven- 
port to keep the Seals, 1715, 99-100; 
sworn, 100 

William (d 1740), son of Gov, 

Joseph, 67 

Dudley Records, 5 n 

Dummer, Jeremiah (d 1718), son of 
Richard {d 1639), 18, 24 

Jeremiah (d 1739), son of Jeremiah 

(d 1718), 92 n; quoted, 63 n, 70 n, 
91 n, 93 n, 102 n 

Richard (d 1689), 18 

Lt.-Gov. William, son of Jeremiah 

(d 1718), 2, 2 n, 68, 67, 68 n, 70, 72, 
82 n, 88 n, 92 ,-(, 93 n, 107, 108, 109, 
110; sworn, 1716, 65; 1728, 93; Act- 
ing Governor, 68-69, 71, 93; oaths on 
accession of George II, 69 n 

Durell, Capt. Thomas, 66, 68 n 

Dutch, Capt. Samuel, 90 n 

JiiLDRIDGE, Capt. John, 4 n 
England, sovereigns of, 1603-1776, 110- 

111 
Erving, John (d 1786), 79, 80, 86, 87 
John id 1816), son of John (d 1786), 

96 
Evelyn, John, 89 n 
Excellency (Excellence), his, the title, 

first used, 1686, 7 n 
Eyre, John (d 1700), 16, 18, 24 



Fulham, Francis, 66 
Fullam. See Fulham 



F 



INCH, Capt. Jeremiah, 67, 68 n 
Flipson. See Philipse 
Flucker, Sec. Thomas, 88 n, 96, 106 n, 

107, 108, 110; sworn, 1771, 105; 

leaves, 1775, 105, 105 n 
Flypse. See Philipse 
Ford, Worthington Chauncey, 55 n, 

56 n, 59 n 
Foster, John (d 1711), 16, 17, 24, 35, 38, 

38 n, 45, 46 
Foxcroft, Francis (d 1768), 104 
Foy, Capt. John, 9 n 
Frame, Richard, 41 n 



G. 



TAGE, Gov. Thomas, 96, 96 n, 105, 
105 n, 107, lOS, 110; arrives, 1774, 
86, 86 n; sworn, 87; leaves, 1775, 87, 
87 ;i-88 n 

Gedney, Bartholomew (d 1698), 15 n, 
16, 16 V, 17, 30, 32, 35, 38, 38 n, 46 

Gee, Sir Orlando, 53 n 

Gener. See Jenncr 

George I, 57, 58, 59, 60, 60 n, 61, 63, 
92, 92 n, 99, 100, 101, 101 n, 102, 
102 n, 103, 111; proclaimed in Bos- 
ton, 1714, 56, 56 It] death, 69 n 

George II, 60 n, 70, 72, 72 ??, 74, 79, 80, 
82, 92, 93, 94, 103, 104, 105, 111; 
proclaimed in Boston, 1727, 69 n; 
death, 82 n, 83 n. See also Wales, 
Prince of 

George III, 82, 85, 86, 86 n, 87 n, 95, 
96, 105, 111; proclaimed in Boston, 
1760, 82 ?;-83 n 

Gibson, Edmund, Bishop of London, 2 

Gidney. See Gedney 

Goodricke, Sir Henry (d 1705), 98 

Graves, Thomas (d 1697), 32 

Gray, Harrison (d 1794), 90, 90 n, 96 

Greene, John (d 1708), 32, 35, 38, 38 n, 
39 n 



H 



.AMMOND, Lawrence (d 1699), 49, 
50 

Hathome. See Hawthorn 

Hawthorn, John (d 1717), 18, 21, 23, 
35, 39, 39 7t, 46 

Hayman, Samuel (d 1712), 35, 39, 39 n, 
45, 46 

Heathcote, George, 10 n 

Herbert, Thomas, eighth Earl of Pem- 
broke and fifth Earl of Montgomery, 
55 

Higginson, John (d 1720), 59 

Hill, John, 79, 80 

Thomas, 64 n 

Hiller, Joseph, 99, 100 

Hinokes, John, 15 n, 30, 32, 35, 37 n, 
39, 39 n 

Hinckley, Thomas, Gov. of New Ply- 
mouth, 15 H, 29 n, 32, 35, 39, 39 n, 
48 n 

Hincks (Hinks). See Hinckea 

Holyoke, Elizur (ci 1711), 41 n 



116 



INDEX 



Homans, Capt. John, 72 n 
Hutchinson, Edward (d 1692), brother 

of Elisha {d 1717), 18 

EHakim {d 1718), 33, 54, 57, 59 

Elisha {d 1717), 35, 35 n, 39, 39 n, 

46, 49, 57, 59 
Foster (d 1799), son of Thomas 

(d 1739), 96 
Thomas (d 1739), son of Ehsha 

(d 1717), 57, 59 

Gov. and Lt.-Gov. Thomas, son 

. of Thomas (d 1739), 42 n, 79, 80, 82 n, 

83 n, 84 n, 86, 88 n, 95, 107, 108, 110; 

quoted, 6 n, 40 n; Acting Governor, 

81-82, 84, 85, 95; sworn Governor, 

1771, 85-86; leaves, 1774, 86 n; 

sworn Lt.-Governor, 1758, 94, 94 n; 

1761, 95 
Hutchison. See Hutchinson 
Hyde, Laurence, first Earl of Rochester, 

13 n 



Jackson, Benjamin, 48; quoted, 

49 n 
James I, 110 
James II, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13 n, 31 n, 

39 n, 43 n, 4S,n, 111; proclaimed in 

Boston, 1685, 4 n; in Plymouth, 4 n. 

See also York, Duke of 
Jarvenin, Capt. John, 90 n 
Jarvis, Col. Leonard (d 1770), 83 n 
Jenkins, Sir Lionel, 3 n 
Jenner, Capt. Thomas, 3, 3 n 
Johnson, Rev. Samuel (d 1772), 70 n 
Johnson, William (d 1704), 16 n, 18, 21, 

23 
Johnston, William (H. C. 1854), 53 n 
Jolliffe. See Joyliffe 
Jones, John, 81 
Joyliffe, John (d 1701), 18, 35, 40, 40 n, 

45, 46 



K 



EMBLE, Stephen, 88 n 



IjATHROP, Barnabas. See Lothrop, 

Barnabas 

John. See Lothrop, Barnabas 

Lee, Joseph (d 1802*), 96 

Legge, William, first Earl of Dartmouth, 

91 n; quoted, 90 n-91 n 

Lethred, Capt. , 68 n 

Leveret t. Gov. John, 7 n 



Leverett, Rev. John, President of Har- 
vard College, son of Gov. John, 65, 65 n 

Lidgett, Charles (d 1698), 33 

Lincoln, Benjamin (d 1771), 79, 80 

Linds. See Lynde 

Loring, Joshua (d 1781), 96 

Lothrop, Barnabas (d 1715), 15 n, 32, 
35, 40, 46 

Loudoim, Lord. *See Campbell, John 

Lowther, Sir John, Baron Lowther and 
first Viscount Lonsdale, 98 

Lusamb. See Luscombe 

Luscombe, Humphrey, 33, 37 n 

Lynde, Benjamin (d 1745), son of 
Simon {d 1687), 69 

Benjamin (d 1781), son of Benja- 
min (d 1745), 79, 80 

Joseph (d 1727), 18, 35, 40, 40 n 

45 46 57 59 

^' Simon' (d 1687), 14 n, 32, 33, 34, 

35, 40, 40 n 



M. 



.ARION, Dep.-Sec. Joseph, 63 n, 
102 n, 103; sworn, 1716, 101, 101 n 

Mary II, 111. See also WiUiam and 
Mary 

Mason, Robert (d 1688), 6 n, 15 n, 30, 
31, 32, 32 n, 35, 37 n, 39 n, 40, 40 n 

Stephen, 35, 40, 40 n, 48 n 

Massachusetts Bay Province, 1691- 
1774, 44-105 

Council, members of, 1691, 35; 

government devolves upon, 1701, 
50-52, 109; 1757, 78-80, 110; con- 
troversy • between Gov. Dudley and, 
1715, 55-60 

Mather, Rev. Increase, 35 n, 40 n, 44 

Middlecott, Richard (d 1704), 35, 40, 
45,46 

Minot, James (d 1759), 79 

Montague, Capt. , 77 n 

Montgomery, Earl of. See Herbert, 
Thomas 



N, 



ELSON, John (d 1721), 16, 16 n, 
17, 24 

Newbury, Walter (d 1697), 32, 35, 40 
New England, Council for, 1685-1686, 

5-7; members of, 2&-32 
Territory and Dominion of, 1686- 

1689, 7-13; members of Council, 

1686-1688, 32-34; 16SS-1689, 34-35 
Nicholson, Lt.-Gov. Francis, 15 n, 35, 

40, 91/1, 106, 108, 109; commis- 



INDEX 



117 



Nicholson {continued) 

sioned Lt. -Governor, 1688, 9; goes 
to New York, 1688, 8-9, 8 n; ap- 
pointed Councillor, 1687, 9 n, 33, 
34; quoted, 9 ?t; goes to England, 
16S9, 10 n ; notice of, 40 n-41 n; never 
knighted, 40 n 

John. See Nicholson, Francis 

Noble, Capt. , 74 



0, 



'AKES, Thomas {d 1719), 24 

Officials, list of, 1685-1775, 109-110 

Oliver, Lt.-Gov. and Sec. Andrew, 79, 
80, 83, 88 «, 105 n, 107, 108, 110; 
sworn Secretary, 1758, 95; 1761, 95; 
sworn Lt. -Governor, 1771,95; death, 
96, 96 n; appointed Secretary, 1757, 
104, 104 n; sworn, 104-105; commis- 
sioned in 1758 and 1761, 105 

Nathaniel {d 1704), 16, 18, 24 

Richard, 96 n 

Lt.-Gov. Thomas, 96 n, 107, 108, 

110; sworn, 1774, 96, 96 n; leaves, 
1776, 96 n 

Osborne, Capt. John, 102 n 

John, 79, 80 

Sir Thomas, first Earl of Danby, 

Marquis of Carmarthen, and Duke 
of Leeds, 10, 10 n, 98 

Otis, James {d 1778), 81, 81 n 

John {d 1758), brother of James 

(d 1778), 79, 80 

X AIGE, Nicholas {d 1717), 32 
Palmer, John, 35, 41, 43 n 
Parker, James {d 1701), 18 
Parnell, Capt. Francis, 100 n 
Partridge, Capt. Samuel, 83 n 
Peirce. See Pierce 

Pembroke, Earl of . <See Herbert, Thomas 
Pepperrell, Sir William {d 1759), 79 

Sir William {d 1816), 96 

Pepvs, Samuel, 89 n 

Phifips (Phillips), Frederick. See Phi- 

lipse, Frederick 
Philipse, Frederick {d 1702), 35, 41, 

42 n, 43 n 

Phillips, Col. , 83 n v 

, Gillam, 70 n 

John (d 1725), 18, 35, 41, 41 n, 

45, 46, 49 
Phipps, Sir Constantine, quoted, 53 n 
Phips, Lt.-Gov. Spencer, 74, 75, 76, 88 n, 

94 n, 104, 104 n, 107, 108, 110; Act- 



Phips (continued) 

ing Governor, 76, 77, 78, 94; death, 

78, 78 n, 79; sworn, 1732, 93-94; 

name changed from Bennet, 93 n-94 n 
Gov. Sir William, 28, 35 n, 46 n, 98, 

106, 108, 109; arrives, 1692, 44; sworn, 

45; oath, 45-40; complaints against, 

47-48; leaves, 48; death, 48 n 
Pierce, Daniel (d 1704), 18 
Pike, Robert (d 1706), 18, 21, 35, 41, 

41 n, 46 
Pipon, Ensign John, 16, 16 n 
Point Shirley, named in 1753, 77 n 
Povey, John (d 1715), 89 n; quoted, 12 n 

Richard (d 1705), 89 n 

Thomas, F.R.S., 89 n 

Lt.-Gov. Thomas, 55, 88 n, 106, 

108, 110; arrives, 1702, 54-, 89; sworn, 

89; his family unknown, 89 n; leaves, 

1706, 90, 90 n 

Thomas, son of John (d 1715), 89 n 

William, 89 n 

family, 89 n 

Powle, Henry (d 1692), 98 

Pownall, Gov. Thomas, 94, 105 n, 107, 

108, 110; arrives, 1757, 80, 80 n; 

sworn, 80-81; leaves, 1760, 81, 82, 

82 n 
Pretender, Old. See Stuart, James 

Francis Edward 
Prout, Ebenezer, 20, 23, 25 
Pulling Point, name changed to Point 

Shirley, 1753, 77 n 
Pyke. See Pike 
Pynchon, John (d 1703), 30, 32, 35, 41, 

41 n 
Joseph, 79, 80 



Q 



UINCY, Edmund (d 1698), 18 
- Edmund (d 1738), son of Edmund 
(d 1698), 70 n, 93 n 



R 



ANDOLPH, Sec. Edward, 2, 3, 4, 
4 n, 5 n, 10 n, 12 n, 13, 30, 30 n, 32, 
35, 41, 41 n, 106, 108, 109; quoted, 
3 n, 9 n, 11 n, 30-31, 32 n, 37 n, 40 n; 
commissioned Collector, 1678, 10; 
Collector, 1681, 11; Secretary, 1685, 
11; 1688, 12; Councillor, 1685, 11; 
sworn, 1686, 11 ; makes J. West Dep.- 
Sccretar}', 1687, 12; his difficulties 
in obtaining records of his office, 13 n - 
16 n 



118 



INDEX 



Rawson, Sec. Edward, 4, 4 n, 13 n, 14 n, 

15 n, 16 n 
Remington, Jonathan (d 1745), 66 
Richards, John (d 1694), 16, 17, 21, 23, 

35, 41, 41 n, 46 
Rochester, Earl of. ^ee Hyde, Laurence 
Rooke, Capt. Harry, 88 n 
Roy all, Isaac (d 1781), 79 
Ruggles, Capt. John, 69 n 
Russell, Daniel (d 1763), son of James 

(d 1709), 80 
James {d 1709), 16 n, 17, 18, 23, 

32, 33, 35, 41, 41 n, 45, 46, 50 



S 



ALTONSTALL, Nathaniel {d 1707), 
18, 23, 30, 31, 32, 35, 37 n, 41, 41 n, 
46 

Bancroft, William, Archbishop of Can- 
terbury, 32 n 

Sandforth, Peter. See Sanford, Peleg 

Sanford, John {d 1653), Pres. of R. I., 
41 n 

John (d 1687), son of John (d 1653), 

32, 33 n, 35, 37 n, 41, 41 n 

Peleg, son of John (d 1653), 33, 

33 n 

Santen, Lucas, 42 n 

Sargent, Peter. See Sergeant, Peter 

Savoury, Capt. Thomas, 89 n 

Selike. See Sellick 

Sellick, John, 10 n 

Sergeant, Peter (d 1714), 16, 17, 24, 35, 
41, 41 71, 45, 46, 49 

Sewall, Judge Samuel, 32, 35, 42, 42 n, 
46, 54, 57, 59, 61 n, 66; quoted, 4 n, 
7 n, 9, 9 n, 11 ?i, 33 n, 36 n, 37 n, 38 n, 
39 n, 40 71, 41 n, 42 7i, 44, 44 n, 48 n, 
50 n, 53 n, 63 n, 89 n, 102 ?i; errors 
made by, 38 ?i, 42 n, 53 n, 64 n 

Stephen (cZ 1760), 79, 80 

Sheaf e, Sampson (d 1724), 33 

Shirley, Capt. Washington, 77 n, 78 n 

Gov. William, 79, 107, 108, 110; 

sworn, 1741, 74-76; leaves, 1749, 76; 
returns, 1753, 77; leaves, 1756, 77 

William {d 1755), son of Gov. 

William, 64 n 

Short, Capt. Richard (d 1702), 48 

Shrewsbury, Duke of. See Talbot, 
Charles 

Shrimpton, Samuel {d 1698), 15 n, 16, 
17, 24, 32, 33, 34, 35, 37 ?z, 42, 42 n 

Shute, Harrington, brother of Gov. 
Samuel, 63 n 



Shute, Gov. Samuel, 53 n, 62 n, 63 n, 69, 
93, 102 n, 107, 108, 109; arrives, 
1716, 63; sworn, 64-66; leaves sud- 
denly, 1723, 66-68, 68 n; attack on, 
for his departure, 67?i-68 n; rumors of 
his return, 69 n-70 n 

Sloughter, Henry, Gov. of N. Y., 
43 11 

Smith, Daniel {d 1692), 32, 35, 42 

John {d 1695), 18, 21, 23 

Richard (d c 1692), 31, 32, 33, 34, 

35, 42, 42 n 

Sophia, wife of Ernest Augustus, Elec- 
tor of Hanover, 75 

Sovereigns of England, 1603-1776, 110- 
111 

Spragg (Sprag, Spragge), John, Sec. of 
N. Y., 12 n, 35, 42; sketch of, 42 n- 
43 n 

Sprague, John. See Spragg, John 

Richard (d 1703), 18, 24 

Samuel, Sec. of New Plymouth, 

29 n 

Spraug. See Spragg, John 

Stone, Nathaniel, 81 

Stoughton, Dep.-Pres. and Lt.-Gov. 
William, 2, 4 n, 6 n, 13 n, 15 n, 16, 17, 
30, 32, 35, 35 n, 43, 45, 46, 50, 88 n, 
98, 106, 108, 109, 110; sworn Dep- 
uty-President, 1686, 6; Acting Gov- 
ernor, 48, 49, 50; oaths, 45-46, 49, 
50 n; death, 50, 50 n, 51, 52 

Stuart, James Francis Edward, the 
Old Pretender, 75 

Studely (Studly), Capt. Robert, 90 n 

Sunmer, William Hyslop (H. C. 1799), 
63 w 



T. 



AILER, Lt.-Gov. William, 2. 2 n, 
56 n, 59, 60, 61, 62??, 65, 69 /«, 74, 
88 71, 90 n-91 n, 94, 101, 101 7i, 102, 
102 n, 106, 107, IDS, 109, 110; claims 
to be Acting Governor, 1715, 61-62, 
92; Acting Governor, 62, 71-72, 92, 
92 n; arrives, 1711, 90, 91 n; sworn, 
91; death, 92, 92 n 

Talbot, Charles, Duke of Shrewsbury, 
27 

Talcott, Joseph, Gov. of Ct., 93 n 

Tapin. See Tappan 

Tappan, Jacob, 41 n 

Tavler, Col. See Tailer, William 

Taylor, Col. William. See TaUer, Wil- 
liam 



INDEX 



119 



Temple, Sir Richard, Viscount Cob- 
ham, 93 n 

Thwaites, Capt. Josiah, 102 n 

Tilton, Peter {d 1696), 23 

Townsend, Penn {d 1727), 18, 24, 57, 
59, 66 

Treat, Robert, Gov. of Ct., 34, 35, 43 

Tyng, Edward (d c 1701), 6 n, 30, 32, 
35, 43 

Capt. Edward (d 1755), son of 

Edward (d c 1701), 74 

Jonathan (d 1724), 30, 31 n, 32, 35, 

43, 43 n 

U SHER, John (d 1726), 13 n, 15 n, 30, 
31 n, 32, 35, 37 n, 43, 43 n 

Van CORTLANDT, Stephen (d 
1700), 35, 38, 38 n, 42 ti, 43 n; quoted, 
10 n 

Vernon, James {d 1727), 51 

WaDLAND, , 10 n 

Wainwright, John (d 1739), 67 

Waldo, Samuel, 81 

Wales, Prince of, 56 n, 92 n. See also 

George II 
Wales, Prince of, pretended. See Stuart, 

James Francis Edward 
Walley, John {d 1714), 35, 43, 43 n, 46 
Waterhouse, David, 16, 17, 24 
Watts, Samuel, 79, 80 
Wendell, Jacob, 79, 80 
West, Dep.-Sec. John, 15 n; sworn, 

1687, 12; 1688, 12-13 
WTiarton, Richard {d 1689), 30, 32, 35, 

44, 44 n 

Wliite, John (d 1721), 63 n, 102 n 
Wilkes, John {d 1797), 96 n 
Willard, Sec. Josiah, 66, 70, 73, 94 n, 
104 n, 107, 108, 110; letter from, 



Willard (contintied) 

64 n; reaches Boston, 1717, 102, 
102 n; sworn, 103; death, 103, 103 n- 
104 n, 104 

WUliam III, 27, 28, 47 n, 48 n, 49, 51, 
54, 69, 71, 72, 74, 75, 76, 84, 86, 87, 
89 n. 111; address to, from Council, 
51-52; death, 52 n, 53; mourning for, 
in Boston, 53 n. See also William 
and Mary 

William and Mary, 21, 24, 25, 29 n, 44, 
45, 47 n, 48 n, 49, 54, 57, 97, 99 n, 
103, 111; proclaimed in Boston, 1689, 
24, 24 71. See also Mary II; Wil- 
liam III 

Williams, Israel (d 1788), 81 

Willoughby, William, sixth Baron Wil- 
loughby of Parham, 2 

Winslow, Isaac (d 1738), 57 

Isaac (d 1777), 96 

Winthrop, Adam {d 1700), 16, 17, 24, 
35, 44, 44 n, 45, 46 

Fitz John {d 1707), son of John, 

Jr., 4 n, 30, 32, 35, 44, 44 n, 89 n 

John, Jr., Gov. of Ct., 44 n 

Wait {d 1717), son of John, Jr., 

14 n, 15 n, 16, 17, 24, 30, 32, 85, 44, 
44 n, 45, 46, 56 n, 59; quoted, 4 n, 
7 n, 36 n, 42 n; made Major-General, 
1689, 20 

Woodbridge, Rev. Timothy (d 1732), 
S9n 

Woodward, Sec. Samuel, 61, 103, 107, 
108, 110; arrives, 1715,61, 100, 100 n; 
sworn, 91, 100; appoints J. Marion 
Deputy-Secretary, 101; leaves, 1716, 
102, 102 n 



Y( 



ORK, Duke of, 42 n. See also 

James II 
Young, John, See Youngs, John 
Youngs, John {d c 1698), 35, 42 n, 43 n, 

44, 44n 



R 



LEl 



I 



